A vehicle crashed on Saturday into an Elks Lodge in Arizona, injuring more than two dozen people, police said.
“The driver is in custody, and alcohol was a contributing factor,” the Apache Junction Police Department said in a statement posted on social media.
A vehicle is seen at an Elks Lodge in Apache Junction, Arizona, in a photo release Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, by the Apache Junction Police Department.
Apache Junction Police Department
Ten people were transported to local hospitals and 15 others were treated for minor injuries at the scene, police said.
The Elks Lodge is on N. Apache Trail in Apache Junction, a city about 45 minutes east of Phoenix.
A photo released by the police late on Saturday appeared to show a dark-colored pickup truck parked near a stage inside the venue. The vehicle in the image is surrounded by debris.
In a shocking incident in Arizona, multiple injuries were reported after a vehicle collided with the Elks Lodge in a bustling neighborhood. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, catching many by surprise and causing chaos in the area.
According to reports from the local police department, the driver of the vehicle lost control and crashed into the Elks Lodge building, causing significant damage to the structure. The impact of the collision resulted in several individuals sustaining injuries, with some being rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic scene, with emergency responders quickly arriving to assess the situation and provide aid to those injured. The extent of the injuries is still being determined, but initial reports suggest that there were multiple individuals who suffered varying degrees of harm as a result of the collision.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with authorities working to determine what led to the driver losing control of their vehicle and crashing into the building. It is unclear at this time whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident, but authorities are not ruling out any possibilities as they continue their investigation.
The Elks Lodge, a popular gathering place for community events and social gatherings, will likely be closed for repairs in the coming days as crews work to assess and repair the damage caused by the collision. Members of the lodge and local residents have expressed shock and concern over the incident, hoping for a swift recovery for those injured and a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
As more information becomes available, authorities will continue to provide updates on the situation and any developments in the investigation. In the meantime, residents in the area are urged to exercise caution and be mindful of their surroundings while driving to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
