Case progresses for Collier County driver accused of deliberate thrift store crash that injured 6

A driver accused of deliberately crashing into the St. Matthew's House thrift store, injuring six people, is scheduled for a case management hearing in Collier County this afternoon.

Donald Russell Jr. is facing charges after prosecutors alleged he intentionally drove his vehicle into the thrift store on Airport Pulling Road South in April of last year.

According to the arrest report, six people were taken to the hospital following the crash. Three were listed as trauma alerts, and one victim was on life support at the time the report was written.

Investigators said Russell claimed the crash was an accident, but deputies stated that security video and the vehicle's path inside the store suggest it was intentional.

One of the victims, Deima Torna Garcia, shared her memory of the incident a year after the crash, saying, "All I remember was just like an explosion. Like a boom. And then I just, I don't remember anything," Garcia said.

Russell has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail as the case continues to move forward. His case management hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Collier County Courthouse.