Driver crashes into Merritt Island rehab center, troopers say

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — Troopers are investigating why a 35-year-old Cocoa man drove into a Brevard County rehabilitation center Tuesday morning.

The crash happened at Island Health and Rehab on Merritt Island at 125 Alma Blvd., troopers said.

Troopers said the driver of the car lost control on Lean Street, crashed through a fence and into a building. Teresa Bogener, a 64-year-old resident who was sleeping at the time, was injured and taken to a nearby hospital to be checked out as a precautionary measure, troopers said.

The driver of the car was also taken to a hospital, troopers said.

"It's very dark back here, too. I can't imagine. I have no idea how they could do it. I'm wondering myself," said witness Annie Rockholt when asked how the man might have lost control of the vehicle.

Jennifer Trapp, spokeswoman for the rehabilitation center said in a statement, “The safety of everyone involved is our primary concern and efforts are under way to safeguard the damaged area to ensure the continued safety of our staff and those entrusted to our care, which is always our top priority.”

Troopers suspect the driver was impaired by drugs and took a blood sample, investigators said. It will take a few weeks for the blood test results to come back.

Witnesses told troopers that the driver was so far slumped down in the vehicle, they didn't know someone was driving.

Seven patients were moved to other facilities because of the damage.

Cox Media Group