Woman shares recovery after driver crashed into St. Matthew's House thrift store in East Naples

EAST NAPLES, Fla. —

"My life has been turned upside down, 100%," is how Deima Torna Garcia describes her new reality.

Torna Garcia says she used to love going for walks and getting outside. Everything changed last April. It's been a long year of physical therapy, 16 surgeries, and learning to forgive herself.

She says she was in the checkout line, just about to leave the St. Matthew's House thrift store in East Naples, when she was hit by a car.

"He asked me, 'Do you want a printed receipt or an email?' Maybe if I would've said printed, it might have been faster, and I would have gotten out of the way," expressed Torna Garcia, holding back tears.

Collier County deputies say Donald Russell Jr. reportedly drove his car through the store on purpose, injuring 5 other people.

More than a year later, Torna Garcia says she's still dealing not only with the physical pain, but also the emotional frustration of not hearing from St. Matthew's House since.

"I received a phone call from St. Matthew's, and this is what really upsets me ... she says to me, Mrs. Torna, I said yes. She said, I have a question for you. Did you take the furniture you purchased? My answer to her was what do you think? Do you think that would fit in an ambulance in the condition that I was in? Her answer to me was, so do I have to reimburse you the money?" said Torna Garcia.

St. Matthew's House declined to interview with Gulf Coast News but provided the following statement:

"St. Matthew’s House was advised not to attempt to reach out to those injured and interfere in what continues to be an active case.

"We have made additional safety investments to prevent this from happening again.

"Our hearts continue to go out to all those impacted on that painful day."

Torna Garcia's lawyer, Todd Michaels, tells Gulf Coast News, "The assailant was a former patient at St. Matthew's, became an employee who they knew had a history of mental health issues, who they knew had a history of drug abuse issues, and 5 or 6 days prior to the incident happening, there'd been a big falling out. He no longer worked there. He spent the entire morning lurking throughout the parking lot. If anyone had been paying attention, he should have been removed hours before."

Despite her pain and disappointment, Torna Garcia says her husband has been the light keeping her going.

"He's like my cheerleader," she says.

Russell Jr. is expected to make an appearance in court next month.

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