Repairs underway on central Columbia home hit by truck

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Fixes have begun on a home in central Columbia a truck crashed into Wednesday afternoon.

ABC 17 News saw people installing a post inside a Worley Street bedroom on Thursday. Columbia Building and Site Development said the post will help keep the roof above the damaged room stable.

The Wednesday crash injured three people, including the driver and homeowner, Rehema McPherson. The Columbia Police Department said one woman hurt suffered life-threatening injuries.

Charli Collins, a neighbor of the victim's, lives across the street from the damaged home. She said she tried calling 911 when the crash happened, but Collins knew she had to jump in and help when she didn't get an answer

"I just ran to the house like...I don't really know if I had a first thought, my first thought was really just make sure no one in there hurt," Collins said.

Collins said when she got close to the house, she saw a lot of smoke and people running around screaming.
She said she hopes the victim is okay, but she is still at a loss for words.

"I literally have no idea what I would say. Like I just felt so terrible, I didn't even know what to say to say to her in the situation before anyone was there. She was freaking out...Like I don't know it was horrible," Collins said.

Community Development Director Tim Teddy said no one could stay in the building until city inspectors review the repairs made. He said the roof appeared stable enough for people to come in and out to grab things but not stay overnight. Gas and electric remain shut off to the home, Teddy said.

Wooden planks covered the hole on Thursday left by the truck. Columbia police tell ABC 17 News the cause of the crash remains under investigation.