Lawsuit alleges St. Matthew’s House failed to protect shoppers before 2025 thrift store crash in Naples

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — A woman injured when a vehicle was driven through the St. Matthew’s House Thrift Store in Naples last year has filed a lawsuit alleging the nonprofit failed to take adequate security measures to protect customers.

Deima Torna Garcia filed the lawsuit Aug. 10 in Collier County Circuit Court against St. Matthew’s House Inc. The complaint seeks more than $50,000 in damages and requests a jury trial.

The lawsuit stems from the April 10, 2025, incident at the St. Matthew’s House Thrift Store at 2601 Airport Road South where several people were injured after deputies say a man crashed his car into the store.

RELATED: East Naples thrift store crash; accused driver pleads not guilty in court

According to the complaint, Donald Russell drove a vehicle from the parking area through an opening in a perimeter fence and into the store at about 10:40 a.m. The lawsuit says the vehicle continued through the showroom, striking customers and store contents.

READ THE FULL COMPLAINT

Six patrons, including Garcia, were injured, according to the complaint. Russell was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple counts of aggravated battery, the lawsuit says.

Garcia alleges St. Matthew’s House knew or should have known Russell posed a danger. The complaint alleges Russell had previously been an employee and participant in programs operated by St. Matthew’s House and that the nonprofit had information about his alleged violent propensities, mental illness and substance abuse.

The lawsuit further alleges St. Matthew’s House knew or should have known Russell posed a danger.

Garcia also alleges the thrift store lacked fixed barriers, such as bollards or guardrails, separating vehicles from the storefront. The lawsuit alleges the lack of those barriers created an additional risk of a vehicle entering the store. Garcia alleges she suffered serious bodily injuries, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, medical expenses and lost earnings as a result of the incident. 

Following the crash in 2025, St. Matthew’s House President and CEO Steve Brooder called it a “tragic and deeply unsettling incident.” The damage forced the store to close, and it reopened nearly four months later after repairs.

WINK News reached out to St. Matthew’s House for comment on the lawsuit and did not immediately received a response.