PINE HILLS, Fla. — The Pine Hills day care struck by an SUV Thursday cannot reopen until repairs, permits and inspections are completed, Orange County officials said Friday.
The county also said the property’s use as a child-care facility predates its vehicle-impact protection ordinance, and subsequent operating permits did not, by themselves, require protective measures to be installed.
Three children and two adults were hospitalized after the crash at Tattle Tales Learning Center, 1211 N. Pine Hills Road. Orlando Health said Thursday afternoon that all five patients were in good condition.
Inspection finds structural and electrical damage
An Orange County building inspector documented damage to the exterior wall and its supports after the vehicle traveled fully inside the building.
The collision displaced masonry support components into the interior and heavily damaged interior walls and finishes, according to the field inspection report.
The inspector also noted exposed electrical wiring where the SUV entered. Power was shut off at the main breaker.
The report describes the assessment as preliminary and warns that concealed damage may exist.
Before reopening, the property owner must have a licensed architect or engineer evaluate the damage, obtain the necessary permits, complete repairs and receive county approval for occupancy.
Why vehicle-impact requirements were not triggered
According to the county, the property has operated as a child-care facility since 2009, when a commercial alteration permit was issued.
Additional use permits were issued for child-care operations in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2020.
Orange County’s vehicle-impact protection ordinance took effect June 1, 2016. Officials said it applies to newly established child-care centers and certain changes that create or enlarge areas exposed to vehicle impacts.
The ordinance does not automatically require older facilities to add protection, the county said.
A change in business operator also does not independently trigger those requirements when the approved use remains unchanged and no qualifying modifications are made.
County officials said no building alteration permits were submitted during that period for work that would have created or enlarged an exposed area.
Whether the crash repairs will require vehicle-impact protection remains undetermined. Officials said that decision will follow a review of the repair plans and proposed work.
Crash remains under investigation
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 79-year-old Orlando man was driving a 2003 Honda CR-V south on Pine Hills Road near Elinore Drive around 2:58 p.m. Thursday.
For an unknown reason, the SUV left its lane, crossed the median and northbound lanes, and struck the day care.
The driver and an adult inside the facility were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Three children were taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
FHP is investigating the crash.
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