A neighbor said the car appeared to be trying to stop before suddenly speeding into the building. Police said no one was injured.
DES MOINES, Wash. — Nine people were displaced after a car crashed into a Des Moines apartment building Saturday night.
According to the Des Moines Police Department, officers arrived at the Emerald Court apartment complex after a car crashed into the building around 9 p.m. on May 30.
Police said the driver accidentally accelerated while trying to stop the vehicle, causing severe damage. No injuries were reported and there were no signs of damage, officials said.
The American Red Cross said four units were affected, displacing eight adults and one child. Red Cross volunteers responded to help residents with emergency needs, including shelter, food and clothing.
Neighbor Charlie Franklin witnessed the crash as the driver appeared to be pulling into an angled parking space.
“They went to the right and I thought they were going to park where they are now, but they parked on the ground,” Franklin said. “They lost control because they were on the floor and that’s where they ended up – next to that ground floor apartment.”
Franklin said her first concern was whether the people inside were okay.
“Are they OK? Like, do they have a medical emergency?” Franklin said. “I just wanted to make sure they were okay.”
Another neighbor, Phillip Hamilton, said he woke up to first responders outside the building.
“There seemed to be two ambulances,” Hamilton said. “I woke up and then the tow trucks came, the police, everyone was surrounded.”
Police said multiple units have been secured until the city’s engineering department completes a structural assessment.
“It’s really strange and shocking and sad,” Hamilton said.
