LAS CRUCES, NM – A disastrous event unraveled in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Tuesday when an SUV crashed into a thrift store, killing one and injuring 14 others. According to the Las Cruces Police Department’s social media account, the vehicle shattered the front glass wall of the Savers store. The incident caused casualties among employees and customers who were present inside of the building.
Pamela Kaye Nelson, 67, was reported as the fatality in the accident. Other victims, aged between 30 and 90, suffered varying degrees of injury. Of the injured, 10 were conveyed to hospitals for treatment, and five declined to be moved to medical facilities after being assessed at the scene.
The driver was a 69-year-old woman who has not yet been named. She was unharmed as her Ford Explorer tore through the store from the self-checkout area to the back of the building.
Police disclosed that she mistook the gas pedal for the brake pedal while trying to park the SUV outside the thrift store.
Store employee Elijah Sanchez described the horrifying scene, recounting hearing people scream after the crash around 10 a.m. Despite the chaotic situation, he was focused on helping people who were in distress as a result of the crash.