Car Loses Control, Slams Into Church During Middle Of Service
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Church service was suddenly interrupted Sunday after an out-of-control car slammed into the building.
It happened at the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church at 15250 N.W. 22nd Avenue.
"I was just praising the Lord and giving him some of my time when we heard that loud noise and I just got up and started running," said parishioner Virginia Brice.
Eight people were treated for injuries, some of whom were sitting in the pews just next to the impact site, where debris was sent flying inside.
"Thank God the car did not breach the wall of the church," Pastor Rogery Adams said. "It definitely impacted, and there was some concrete and building materials that caused most of the injuries."
Fortunately, no one was actually struck by the car.
"It sounded like an explosion. Just like a bomb went off on the north side of the back pews of the church," said the pastor's son, Brendan Adams. "There were a few people sitting in that back row. Most of them were just complaining about the ringing in their ears from the loud impact and the noise."
Their injuries were minor, cuts and bruises, he said. Though, one person was air-lifted to the hospital with a head wound.
Adams said the driver, who walked away okay, told him he tried avoiding another car that turned onto the road but didn't stop for oncoming traffic, forcing him to swerve and lose control.
The church was celebrating their 75th worship anniversary at the time of the crash.