A sport utility vehicle plowed into a South Shafer Street apartment building yesterday after a 75-year-old Athens resident lost control of the automobile.
The driver, Ragy Matias, 75, was taken to O’Bleness Memorial Hospital after crashing his Buick Rendezvous into the apartment complex at noon yesterday, according to an Athens Police Department report.
Mark Greve, a junior studying sports management, said the vehicle came careening through the parking lot of Graceland Apartments and crashed into the building, 99 S. Shafer St., at about 35 miles per hour.
The impact destroyed a laundry room and caused damage to multiple apartments, said Athens Fire Chief Bob Troxel, adding that he did not have an estimate for the damage.
Although fire and police officials were unable to comment on Matias’ condition after the crash, he was able to move his hands while on the stretcher. Athens Police confirmed that there were no other injuries in the crash.
Police were unable to determine why Matias lost control of his vehicle, according to the report.
Ben Guenther, a graduate student studying film production, said he lives on the first floor of the damaged building but was on campus when the crash occurred.
“I got a text from my landlord saying ‘Crash at your apartment,’” Guenther said. “I’m amazed no one was hurt.”
Guenther’s room was damaged in the crash.
Although the damage to the complex is serious, said Lynne Last, manager of the complex, this is not the first time a car had crashed into the complex.
“It’s the weirdest thing,” Last said. “We’ve had a few cars hit this same building, but the damage has never been this bad.”
The building is currently being secured so that tenants can return to their apartments as soon as possible, Last said.
“These poor people,” Last said. “They have to come home today to this.”
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