JCPD looking for cause of deadly New Year’s Day crash into assisted living facility

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City Police are trying to determine why a car crashed into Westbrook Terrace Memory Care on Thursday afternoon, leaving a resident of the facility dead and the driver of the car hurt.

Firefighters were called to the facility at 1:54 p.m. Thursday after the car hit the building at 3305 N. Ten Mile Drive -- Westbrook Terrace Memory Care. The car was already backed out of the building by the time firefighters arrived. Investigators learned the vehicle had gone through the building and hit a person inside the living area, according to previous reporting.

First responders pulled that person out, but they later died, nursing home management said Friday.

Many neighbors told ABC 17 News that they didn't hear the crash. One neighbor compared the sound he heard to the sound of a car door shutting. Many said they did not realize something bigger had happened until they heard sirens and saw the large presence of law enforcement outside the nursing home.

Westbrook Terrace is licensed as a 25-bed memory care assisted living facility by the State of Missouri. Patricia Cokingtin, senior vice president for Americare Senior Living, said in a written statement to ABC 17 News that following the crash, first responders stabilized the building and stayed on site until permanent reinforcements were installed.

The facility also worked closely with emergency personnel to ensure the safety of all other residents, according to the statement.

Cokingtin said law enforcement and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services are investigating. The family of the resident who died has also been notified, Cokingtin says.