A peaceful Saturday afternoon turned chaotic in Pacific, Missouri, when a vehicle crashed into a local nail salon, resulting in one fatality and leaving three others injured.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that on January 27, 2024, Kimberly D. Langley, 57, who had just left the salon and was getting the car to pick up her friends, inadvertently backed her 2023 Ford Expedition into the Pacific Hair and Nails Spa.
The sudden crash claimed the life of 61-year-old Jill Goddard, Langley’s friend, and injured Mary C. Cates, 52, and a 17-year-old receptionist at the salon.
Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the chilling moment when Langley’s SUV suddenly accelerated through the salon’s wall, initially backing up slowly.
Inside, Goddard and Cates were standing shoulder-to-shoulder, getting their nails done, unaware of the impending disaster.
The salon, usually a place of relaxation and chatter, was thrust into chaos as the SUV barreled through the wall. Witnesses and first responders described the scene as horrific, remarking about the unexpected nature of the crash.
Goddard, a well-loved member of the Pacific community, was remembered fondly by those who knew her. “Jill was an incredible person, such a sweet soul,” Cates reflected in the aftermath. The tragic event has left the community grieving for a life lost too soon.
The teenage receptionist, who has not been publicly identified due to her age, miraculously survived the crash.
Trapped under her desk, which likely shielded her from greater harm, she sustained only minor injuries. This stroke of luck amidst the calamity has been a small solace for her family and the community.
Langley, the driver, also suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital. The investigation into the crash, led by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is ongoing.
Authorities are examining data from the SUV’s black box to determine if a vehicle malfunction contributed to the accident. However, preliminary assessments suggest the crash was an unfortunate accident.
The aftermath of the crash has left the Pacific Hair and Nails Spa boarded up, with a notice declaring it unfit for occupancy.