Police determine cause of SUV crash into church daycare

LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV)- Longview Police and Fire responded to the scene of an accident where an SUV crashed into a church around noon Thursday.

Longview Police say?20-year-old Kelly Burke was?driving a Suburban westbound on Spring Hill Road when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed through an open field, took out a power pole, and crashed into the back-side of Spring Hill First Baptist Church, at the corner of Spring Hill and Gilmer Roads in Longview.

Authorities say the side of the building the man hit housed a daycare center, which had children and a teacher sitting down for lunch just feet away from the intruding vehicle.

It was a chaotic scene as emergency crews were desperately trying to get inside the crumpled rooms where they knew children had been prior to the crash. Some said it looked like a bomb had hit the building.

First responder James Rodgers says, "When we got here, the power was knocked out. It was dark. We opened the door. We could hear kids screaming and crying... the children were terrified."

There were approximately 30 children and at least one teacher inside the building that Burke crashed into. The church was hosting a Mother's Day out.

In the darkness, the children were pulled to safety, amazingly with only minor injuries. The SUV struck between two main supports, keeping the walls from toppling down.

"It was a scary situation," says Pastor Wayne Spanhanks, "But fortunately, the way the vehicle hit the building, it just was such that the children were in the right place... they were very lucky."

Initial reports from the Longview Police Department reported that three children and one teacher were transported to the hospital by private vehicle, but Longview Police say now they're not sure that information is correct.

We contacted?Libby Brison of Longview Regional Medical Center after the accident. Brison confirmed that one childcare worker and two children were transported by private vehicle, and were treated and released.

Good Shepherd Medical Center's spokesperson, Victoria Ashworth, says one adult was transported to GSMC, and one child was?taken by private vehicle and has been treated and released.?The extent of?the driver's?injuries are unknown at this time.

Ashworth also said all but one of those injured in the crash declined ambulance transport.

"We were so fortunate this wasn't worse," Ashworth said.???

The power at the church is expected to be restored sometime Thursday night.

According to Longview Police PIO Kristie Brian, the driver told police he fell asleep because he works a day-labor job and he was exhausted and simply fell asleep at the wheel. Police have no reason to doubt that at this time.

They believe no drugs or alcohol were involved and no problems were found with the vehicle.

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