An unsettling scene unfolded at St. David's North Austin Medical Center Tuesday when a car rammed into the emergency room, leaving the driver dead and injuring five others. The crash prompted a large-scale response from local emergency services, with Austin-Travis County EMS declaring a Level-4 Mass Casualty Incident, according to CBS Austin.
AFD responding to a hazmat task force in the 12200 block of N Mopac Expy. Reported vehicle drove into a building. Avoid the area #ATXTraffic @austinmobility
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) February 13, 2024
Authorities were dispatched to the hospital at 12221 North Mopac Expressway at 5:38 p.m. following reports of the crash. As Austin Police Department's Vehicular Homicide Unit continued the on scene investigation, officials said, based on preliminary information, the crash doesn't “appear to be an intentional act,” as per an interview with KXAN. The driver was pronounced dead after Austin Fire Department extricated and attempted CPR.
Of the injured, two children and one adult were urgently taken to Dell Children's Medical Center, with one of the pediatric patients in critical condition. Another adult was transported in critical condition to Round Rock Medical Center, while the fifth victim was treated onsite. Additional patients present in the ER at the time required transport to various hospitals, explained Dr. Peter D. Young, Chief Medical Officer for St. David's North Austin, as reported by CBS Austin.
