Car crashes into Bonaire veterinary hospital

WARNER ROBINS — Workers were replacing the front door Monday at a Bonaire veterinary clinic after a car crashed through it Sunday afternoon.

The car came in through the front of Critter Fixers Veterinary Hospital at 102 Starlight Drive, into the lobby and through two exam rooms, veterinarian Dr. Vernard Hodges said.

According to a Warner Robins police report, Bernice Meadows, 79, of Warner Robins, “stated her accelerator stuck and she lost control of the vehicle.”

The report also stated that the red 2010 Toyota Camry was a new vehicle purchase and did not have a permanent tag assigned.

Meadows said in a telephone interview that the accelerator stuck.

“It felt like the Earth had run out from under me,” Meadows said.

Meadows had her sister Delma Taylor with her when the crash occurred. Meadows said she was mostly sore and her lower back hurt, while her sister may have injured her rotator cuff.

Meadows said she recently purchased the car from Lowe Toyota at 375 S. Houston Lake Road. Joe Ruth, general manager for the dealership, said the vehicle was recalled later that afternoon after Meadows purchased it.

Ruth said the car was examined after the crash and the accelerator was not sticking. Ruth said he does not believe it malfunctioned. Ruth also said that the dealership has not had a valid complaint of an accelerator sticking.

Jan. 21, Toyota announced a recall of 2.3 million cars and trucks in the United States for the repair of accelerator pedals, and suspended sales on the vehicles Jan. 26. For more information about the recall, visit www.toyota.com/recall.

No one was seriously injured in the mishap, but Hodges and his son left the office just minutes earlier, said Kim Stuckey, a veterinary technician. Hodges said pets being boarded were not in harm’s way, and the veterinary office was open Monday for business.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.