On Tuesday, April 30th, around 10 am authorities responded to an SUV that crashed through the front wall of glass into a Las Cruces thrift store, called Savers.
According to police, the driver, a 69-year-old woman, was apparently attempting to park her vehicle when she pressed the accelerator rather than the brake pedal. Her name has not yet been released.
The SUV crashed into the store near the self-checkout area and then proceeded to drive through the store to the backside of the building, police reported.
First responders arrived and transported 10 of the 14 injured victims to hospitals for treatment. One individual, a 67-year-old woman, was critically injured in the crash and died. Police said that two of the injured victims were store employees, and the other 12 injured victims were customers. Those injured were roughly between the ages of 30 to 90 years old.
A Savers employee, Elijah Sanchez told Las Cruces TV station KFOX 14/CBS 4 that he heard people screaming in pain. “It was pretty chaotic. I didn’t know what to think,” Sanchez said about the aftermath of the crash, “I just knew that the best thing to do was to try and go help the people who needed help.”
Compensation For Personal Injury And Wrongful Death
Accidents like this one can have catastrophic effects on the victims and their families. Vehicles weigh significantly more than a human body and have the ability to inflict serious injury and in some cases even death. If you have been injured in an accident or tragically lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, you may have grounds for compensation.
Common injuries in an accident like this can include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Wrongful death
- And more
Victims may be able to pursue compensation for damages including:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional turmoil
- Funeral expenses
- And more
“Unfortunately, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact accidents like this can have on those involved and their families. Our hearts go out to the family who lost their loved one, and to all those facing medical treatment and recovery,” says Brian Colón, managing partner at Singleton Schreiber, “in cases like this, it is important that the victims and their families know they may have legal recourse. To learn more about the options available, it is best to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.”
Seeking Legal Guidance
While not necessary, it may be helpful to seek out the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney after being injured or losing a loved one in an accident like the one that occurred in Las Cruces on Tuesday.
A skilled personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque will be able to explain the laws and help you to better understand your options so that you can make informed decisions on what to do next.
If you have been injured in a personal injury accident or tragically lost a loved one, contact Singleton Schreiber by email at info@singletonschreiber.com for more information.
