Employee Facing Surgery after man Deliberately Crashes into Thrift Store

Safety at Work

Naples, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) – A thrift store employee is recovering after a man deliberately crashed his vehicle into the store, officials said Thursday morning.

Officials with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said they were called to St. Matthews House Boutique Thrift Store around 10:40 in the morning on April 10. Detectives said 42-year-old Donald Peyton-Lee Russell, Jr., of Naples, had intentionally driven his black Honda into the storefront, hitting multiple people including at least one employee.

Police said that three people were taken to the hospital with traumatic injuries and a total of six were injured in the crash.

The thrift store employee was one of the victims with severe injuries, her family told media outlets. The family said she worked at St. Matthew’s house for almost two years, and now, because of her workplace injury is struggling to survive.

"She has sustained multiple life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition,” the family said in a statement. “She was flown and transported to multiple hospitals in the area to receive care and has already undergone one major surgery. Due to her extensive injuries, including severe organ damage and multiple broke bones, she is intubated and sedated.”

The family said they have not been able to talk to the woman since the crash.

Another woman, Deima Torna Garcia, was also injured in the crash. A GoFundMe account in her name said she was left with a collapsed lung, several broken ribs, a broken jaw and severe injuries to both ankles.

“We don’t know how long it would be before she could walk or even drive again,” fund organizers said. “By making this GFM it would take the burden off her when it comes to her medical and personal expenses, which will allow her to focus on healing.”

Detectives said the vehicle entered from the north and went through the glass windows to the south side of the buildings.

“Our deputies, along with fire, EMS and law enforcement crews, responded with urgency and professionalism,” Sheriff Rambosk said. Their actions not only prevented further harm, but also helped bring calm to a chaotic situation.”

The sheriff said Russel was taken into custody at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment. Russell was later arrested after he was questioned by the police. He was charged with three counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, three counts of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon (his car) and criminal mischief over $1,000. The sheriff’s office said the investigation into the incident is ongoing. The sheriff’s office also said they’d be releasing additional information as it became available.

“Our deputies, along with fire, EMS and law enforcement crews, responded with urgency and professionalism,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said via a Facebook post. “Their actions not only prevented further harm, but also helped bring calm to a chaotic situation.”

That accident was not the only one this week where employees were hurt when a car crashed into a building.

In Henderson, Nev., a car crashed into a Chick-Fil-A building injuring several employees.

Police said officers were called to the Chick-Fil-A on Monday April 7 around 2 p.m. Five people were injured in the incident, all of them employees of the restaurant. All of the injured were taken to a hospital and treated for their injuries.

Officials said the incident was caused by a 79-year-old driver who had experienced a medical episode. The driver was not cited in the incident.

And in Long Island, N.Y., a crash into a Jiffy Lube injured a number of people including two employees.

The crash on Tuesday involved two Lexus vehicles that careened across oncoming traffic and crashed into a nearby Jiffy Lube, police said.

Officials said a Lexus SUV was preparing to turn when its driver instead decided to go straight. The SUV struck the back of a Lexus hatchback, Nesconset Fire Chief Joseph Capogna said. The hatchback spun out of control and crossed the street ultimately crashing into the bay of the Jiffy Lube garage.

Two Jiffy Lube employees were injured in the crash, as was a woman whose Mini Cooper was being serviced at the business. All were taken to the hospital and treated for their injuries. The driver and a passenger were also injured. A third Jiffy Lube employee was injured by declined medical attention.

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