Posted on Sat, May. 17, 2008 02:55 PM
Dialysis patients suffer scare when car blasts into Westwood buildingBy BRAD COOPER
The Kansas City Star
A mother-daughter fight caused a sport-utility vehicle to slam into the dialysis center at the University of Kansas Hospital in Westwood shortly before noon today.
Westwood Police Chief Carlos Wells called it a miracle that only one person — a patient in the center — was injured.
The white Lincoln Navigator tore about a 15-foot hole in the rear of the dialysis center at 4720 Rainbow Boulevard next to Westwood City Hall.
“It is unbelievable. I’m still in shock,” said Alycia Taylor, a dialysis technician. “I’m amazed everybody got out of the car and walked away.”
Taylor heard an explosion and saw falling ceiling tile before the sport-utility vehicle appeared in the center. She said the center quickly filled with sounds of yelling, crying and screaming.
Twelve patients and eight employees were inside. One patient suffered minor injuries when a catheter was torn from his chest. He was transported to a hospital.
The crash occurred as the daughter argued with her mother while southbound on Rainbow, police said. Apparently intoxicated, the daughter — described as being in her 30s — grabbed the steering wheel, forcing her mother to lose control.
Two children, ages 15 month and 5 months, in the vehicle were not injured, police said.
Police said they took the daughter into custody, but no charges have been filed. They said that would be left up to the Johnson County district attorney to decide.
The dialysis center serves 125 patients and operates from 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Hospital officials weren’t sure when the center would reopen. They said all patients would be sent to the University of Kansas Hospital for care in the interim.
To reach Brad Cooper, call 816-234-7724 or send e-mail to bcooper@kcstar.com
http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/624358.html
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