LAS CRUCES, NM – A Savers thrift store located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, became the unexpected site of casualties on Tuesday. This devastating tragedy took place when an SUV drove straight into the shop. As a consequence, one person lost their life, and 14 others sustained injuries, as confirmed by the Las Cruces Police Department via a social media announcement.
Tragically, the collision resulted in the death of 67-year-old Pamela Kaye Nelson and injuries to a range of individuals aged from around 30 to 90. While 10 of the victims were rushed to hospitals, five others refused to be transferred to medical facilities after inspectors evaluated them on-site.
The vehicle involved in the incident was a Ford Explorer driven by a 69-year-old woman whose identity remains undisclosed. Despite the severity of the crash, she remained uninjured.
The woman’s car overshot a parking attempt when the crash took place. She began accelerating instead of braking, inevitably plowing through the storefront.
Victims included employees and customers within the store. The vehicle initially crashed near the self-checkout counter and drove all the way to the back of the Savers building.
An employee, Elijah Sanchez, portrayed the calamity during an interview. He recounted the terrifying screams of pain and the immediate impulse to help those hurt.