Omaha Police have identified the five people injured after an SUV slammed into a Crane Coffee at 129th and West Maple.
Police identify the driver as 33 year old Jake Yestingsmeier, who sustained minor injuries due to airbag deployment. Yestingsmeier told officers that he blacked out and did not recall what happened during the crash.
Authorities say Yestingsmeier was eastbound on West Maple when his Jeep Grand Cherokee left the roadway, crossed Birch St, which runs parallel to West Maple, and hit a Crane Coffee kiosk. They say there was no evidence that Yestingsmeier tried to brake during the incident. They say neither speed nor alcohol appear to be factors and a drug recognition evaluation on Yestingsmeier was negative.
One of the Crane Coffee employees was thrown out the south side of the building and into the parking lot due to the force of the impact. The Crane Coffee building is a complete loss.
The injured employees are: 36 year old Rachael Ayala, who suffered an esophagus injury, minor cuts and abrasions; 25 year old Danae Humbert has a lacerated liver and fractured pelvis; 22 year old Chrisanna McClure has cuts and abrasions and 29 year old Jesse Moore suffered a fractured hand, cuts and abrasions.
The investigation continues.
(Photo courtesy of Omaha Police Officer Jacob Bettin)