SUV barrels through day care yard before slamming into house

CHARLOTTE — Someone was taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon when an SUV slammed into an east Charlotte building, paramedics said.

It happened before 4:30 p.m. on Hickory Grove Road at Lawrence Orr Road, which is near the intersection of W.T. Harris Boulevard.

MEDIC said one person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew overhead and saw the SUV went into a building near a day care. The SUV seemed to have crossed through the yard of the day care before crashing.

“Thank God for angels,” said Janice White, the owner of Anointed Future Children Development Center. “Thank God for angels and I know angels were covering them.”

White said she was inside the day care and saw a group of toddlers outside when a teacher started screaming.

“She was out here when the car came across,” White said. “And she started screaming for the other teacher to come out and help her to get the kids in. Thank God she just had a few kids because it was the end of the day. But this could’ve been a total disaster.”

Debbie Jackson said she was across the street at the Hickory Grove Library when the crash happened. Jackson said she saw the SUV veer off Hickory Grove Road, drive through the day care’s front yard, knock down a fence, and crash into the house across Lawrence Orr Road.

“They drove across the lot before reaching the day care, then came through the playground while children were out playing,” Jackson said.

Witnesses rushed to rescue the people in the car, Jackson said.

“I saw the neighbors, people out walking, and they broke out the sunroof and actually pulled two people out,” she said.

White hopes the dangerous crash leads to safety improvements.

“I sure hope that this will cause them to put a light out here, which should’ve been done years ago,” White said.

The owner of the day care said her staff and children are OK.

There is no word on charges.

A Gofundme has been started to help rebuild the daycare center’s playground. If you’re interested in donating, click here.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Several people hurt after two-story deck collapses at west Charlotte home)

Several people hurt after two-story deck collapses at west Charlotte home

©2024 Cox Media Group