GARLAND, Texas — A driver believed to be experiencing a medical episode while driving lost control of his Buick LeSabre at the intersection of Fieldcrest Drive and Jupiter Road in Garland Tuesday, hit another car, then crashed into an apartment building, killing a resident inside, police say.
The Garland police and fire departments responded to the crash in the 1700 block of North Jupiter Road shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, police say.
"The driver as he was leaving lost all control and goes across all lanes of traffic on Jupiter," said Lt. Pedero Barineau of Garland Police.
The resident, identified as Plautila Aguirre, 71, was taken to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, police say.
"It sounded like an airplane crashing. I just knew it was the loudest sound I've ever heard," said next door neighbor Jamey Fritts. "It was fully inside the apartment...the whole car,"
Francis Aaron says she lives upstairs in the apartment complex and was woken up by the collision. She tells WFAA she did not know what was happening at first. When she looked outside she says there were firefighters and first responders surrounding the building. The neighbors tell WFAA Aguirre was known for her baking and would often share treats with her neighbors. Aguirre would also sit outside with her bird.
"They're just real sweet people," said Aaron, who now has to move to another unit because her building is unstable. "It's like a bad dream. Am I going to wake up some time today?" she said.
The driver of the Buick was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries and is cooperating with the investigation, according to police, and the driver of the other car wasn’t injured.
The crash remains under investigation. The driver of the Buick wasn't identified.
This is a developing story. We’ll update this story as additional information becomes available.
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