Richland, Washington – Car Crashes Into Apartment at Pike Avenue

Richland, Washington (April 2, 2020) – A car crashed into the stairs of the McMurray Park Apartments on the 1780 block of Pike Avenue on Thursday evening. According to an article from KEPR News, there were no injuries in the incident. The crash destroyed the staircase but the building itself did not sustain too much damage.

The crash occurred around 6:45 p.m. The driver of the vehicle was reported to have mixed up the gas and brake pedals, causing the crash. The incident is being investigated by the Richland Police Department.

About Vehicle Accidents

From data gathered on car crashes into buildings, the cause was usually operator error or pedal error. For operator errors, drivers usually accelerated or were at high speeds, or were in the wrong gear. Pedal error means that drivers stepped on the gas when they meant to step on the brake. Other, smaller factors for crashing into buildings are situation-based, such as driving under influence, traffic accidents, weather conditions or medical emergencies. A very small percentage are for people who intentionally ram buildings to commit theft. From these causes, lack of control is a common feature.

Because of the crash site, the threat of injuries applies not only to the occupants of the car but also people inside the building. For drivers, there is also the risk of building materials falling into or piercing into the vehicle. Apart from human injuries, damage can also be done to either the car or the struck building, and in the case of the latter the building might have to be reviewed by engineers for safety. As always, we urge everyone to drive with caution and practice safe driving wherever you go. Doing so minimizes damage and injuries you can inflict not only on yourself, but on others as well. If you have however become a victim of a vehicle accident of any sort, we extend our sympathies and compassion.

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