GULFPORT, Miss. — A devastating crash on Friday afternoon has left one person dead and three others injured after a speeding vehicle slammed into the Coast Radio Group building in Gulfport.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Seaway Road and Cowan Lorraine Road. According to Gulfport Fire Chief Billy Kelley, a vehicle traveling at approximately 80 miles per hour ran a red light and collided with the broadcasting facility, home to several well-known local stations including Coast 102, Kicker 108, and 95.3 Gorilla.
Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer confirmed that 59-year-old Liz Thornburg, who was inside the building at the time of the crash, tragically died from her injuries.
Three others — including the driver of the vehicle — were transported to nearby hospitals. Their conditions have not yet been released.
Jessi Reyes, a bystander who had just passed through the intersection moments before the crash, described the terrifying moment she realized how close she and her daughter had come to being involved.
“I had to stop somewhere ’cause I told my daughter — I just yelled at her — you see, I don’t know what made me look back,” Reyes said. “If I would have stood there one minute, it would have got me. So I just started shaking and crying. I hugged her and I said I love you.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The scene has left the Gulfport community in shock, especially those connected to the local radio stations that serve as a daily staple for many residents.
More updates are expected as officials work to determine the cause and assess the extent of damage to the building and those involved.
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