MILFORD, Del.- Authorities say four people were taken to the hospital after a Cadillac crashed into the Milford Senior Center on Tuesday.
Milford police said that shortly after 10 a.m., the driver of a Nissan pickup was traveling northbound on North Washington Street and approaching the Northeast Front Street intersection. As the driver approached the intersection, police said she received the green signal and was proceeding northward. That is when, eyewitnesses told police, that a Cadillac Seville traveling eastbound on Northeast Front Street disregarded the red light and the Nissan struck it in its passenger side.
The impact of the collision sent the Cadillac crashing into the Milford Senior Center building. Police said that as the Cadillac went through a senior center window, the vehicle and/or portions of the building struck a 39-year-old woman sitting in a nearby window seat and threw her across a classroom. The woman, identified as Cheryl A. Flowers of Camden-Wyoming, was removed from the classroom and transported to Milford Memorial Hospital. However, due to the extent of her injuries, she was eventually flown to Christiana Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.
The driver of the Nissan, identified as 43-year-old Michelle M. Bee of Milford, was not injured in the crash, according to police. The driver of the Cadillac, identified as 59-year-old Arnold K. Harmon of Milford, and two passengers- a 21-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy- were taken to Milford Memorial Hospital where they were treated for their injuries and released.
"Our reaction was panicky," said Karen Lloyd, senior center director. "It was nothing we expected."
The victim is a nurse who was preparing a seminar for seniors, Lloyd said. Dozens of seniors were preparing to enter the room as the car smashed into the window.
"Our prayers are really going out for her and her family but it could've been a whole lot worse," Lloyd said.
Lloyd said at least three vehicles have crashed into the building in roughly the last ten years, including Tuesday's crash.
"I did talk to the city about putting up some concrete blockers to protect us in the future because it's happened too much," said Lloyd.
Harmon was cited for disregarding a red light. Police are investigating whether a possible medical episode may have played a role in the crash, said Milford Police Lt. Edward Huey.
The window and wall at the senior center have since been boarded up. Lloyd said it does not appear the overall structure was damaged.
Milford police provided this photo of Tuesday morning's crash scene at the Milford Senior Center. Four people were injured, including a woman sitting inside the building who is listed in critical condition.
