Alli Graham, Digital Content Producer
Connor Dietrich, Multimedia Journalist
Jazmine Otey, Digital/Social Producer
Published:
Updated:
Alli Graham, Digital Content Producer
Connor Dietrich, Multimedia Journalist
Jazmine Otey, Digital/Social Producer
TROUTVILLE, Va. – UPDATE – 11 p.m. Tuesday
10 News is learning more about what led to a driver crashing into the Children’s Nest daycare on Tuesday afternoon.
Virginia State Police said two infants and a teacher were injured in the incident and were transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. No updates on their condition or injuries.
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Parents and children were being reunited as the SUV was being pulled from the facility.
“I just had to come get my daughter that was the only thing on my mind.”
Police said a woman’s foot got stuck under the pedals in her car, causing the vehicle to ram into the building.
Officials at the scene said four people total were injured and three were taken to the hospital – one being an eight-month-old child.
10 News was able to speak to the grandmother of that child as she picked up one of her other grandkids from the daycare.
“I’m tore up … thinking is my baby okay? Do you know the extent of any kind of injuries? They said she’s doing alright, said she’s got a cut in her head but she’s doing okay,” Cindy Booth said.
Botetourt County’s Emergency Manager, Daniel Murray, knows firsthand how important it was to notify parents in that situation.
“As a parent myself it’s very scary to get that phone call. That was one of the first things once we got here, was once we get everybody out of the building…we started making phone calls to the parents,” Murray said.
It’s a call parents would never think they’d get. For Alicia Johnston, the call meant only one thing: get to her three-year-old, Madeline.
“It’s instinct. The only thing on my mind is making sure she’s safe,” Johnston said.
The moment Johnston finally picked up Madeline, the three-year-old had a big smile on her face.
“Relief, just joy to have her in my arms.”
State police said the driver, identified as 84-year-old Bertha Marie Elliott, of Troutville, is now facing a reckless driving charge. Authorities said she was also injured in the crash and transported to the hospital.
Parents told 10 News the car went through the part of the building where the children sleep. They’re calling it a miracle that nothing worse happened.
See the scene as authorities were responding below.
UPDATE – 6 p.m. Tuesday
Three people, including a child, are in the hospital after a car crashed into the Children’s Nest daycare in Troutville Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities said the crash happened around 1:45 p.m. and resulted in four total people injured.
According to the Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS, three of those four were sent to the hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.
10 News spoke to a grandmother at the scene, who said her 8-month-old grandchild was one of the individuals sent to the hospital.
“I’m tore up … thinking is my baby okay? Do you know the extent of any kind of injuries? They said she’s doing alright, said she’s got a cut in her head but she’s doing okay,” Cindy Booth, the grandmother said.
All remaining children were reunited with their parents and guardians, many with smiles on their faces.
The Blue Ridge Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the area.
Virginia State Police is investigating what led to the crash.
ORIGINAL STORY – 2:45 p.m. Tuesday
A car crashed into the Children’s Nest daycare in Troutville Tuesday afternoon.
Details surrounding the crash, including the cause, are unclear.
An alert from Botetourt County Public Schools said some transportation routes may be delayed due to the incident, impacting students from Colonial, Read Mountain, and Lord Botetourt.
10 News has a crew at the scene, working for you to learn more.
Stay with 10 News as this story develops
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Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.
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Connor Dietrich joined the 10 News team in June 2022. Originally from Castle Rock, Colorado, he's ready to step away from the Rockies and step into the Blue Ridge scenery.
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Four injured after car crashes into Troutville daycare, 84-year-old … – WSLS 10
