A driver was hospitalized in serious condition Thursday morning after crashing a vehicle into an upholstery shop in Kansas City, Kansas.
According to the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD), the crash happened shortly after 9 a.m. A vehicle traveling east on Central Avenue crossed into the westbound lane and slammed into Ramos Upholstery, located at the corner of Central Avenue and North Tremont Street in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood. The mixed-use building also contains apartment units on an upper floor.
Police said the driver—an adult male and the only person in the car—came to rest inside the structure after impact. He was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Investigators are working to determine what led to the crash, including whether impairment or a medical condition may have been factors. Authorities confirmed the vehicle was not involved in a police pursuit.
No employees or customers were inside Ramos Upholstery at the time of the crash, and police said no other people, vehicles, or nearby businesses were injured. By late morning, crews had removed the vehicle from the building.
Shop owner Filiberto Ramos described the incident as both frightening and devastating. His family has operated the business, which does a range of upholstery work, for more than a decade.
“We’ve been here 14 years. We are third generation. We’ve been doing it all of our lives. I love it. It’s me and my brother,” Ramos told Fox 4 News.
“It’s very devastating. Scary. I’m glad I wasn’t here,” Ramos added. “I hope the person is ok.”
Ramos said he began contacting customers to explain what happened and provide updates on items that had been in the shop, including pieces positioned near the front windows for upcoming pickup.
Some of those items were damaged and will need to be replaced, he said, and the building itself will require extensive repairs to restore the storefront.
Though it’s not always possible to prevent catastrophes — such as fires, crashes or natural disasters — a robust insurance policy could save you a lot of grief. Make sure your shop’s policy is up to date!
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