Chaos erupted at the Inglewood CarMax on Saturday afternoon when a customer drove his SUV into the dealership’s showroom. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Andrew Jesus Arroyo, caused significant injuries to an employee and several customers. Reports indicate that at least one person was left paralyzed from the incident.
Witnesses described a scene reminiscent of a movie as Arroyo suddenly reversed his vehicle into the dealership. A video captured the moment, showing the SUV crashing through the glass, sending people scrambling for safety amidst the sounds of shattering glass and screeching tires. The vehicle plowed through office furniture before speeding away.
Authorities reported that eight individuals were injured, with two suffering critical injuries and taken to trauma centers. Arroyo later turned himself in to the police. He has since been charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The charges carry special allegations of causing great bodily injury, which could lead to a longer prison sentence if he is convicted.
Initial reports suggested that Arroyo became upset after receiving an appraisal for his vehicle, but CarMax stated that their employees did not observe any complaints from him. Employees noted that his behavior changed abruptly, but it did not seem related to the appraisal process. CarMax is cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation and expressed sorrow for those affected by the incident.
A nearby customer recalled seeing Arroyo acting erratically prior to the crash, including yelling at staff and even jumping on a car’s roof. This unsettling behavior prompted some customers to leave the dealership before the situation escalated.
Arroyo remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on April 2. The dealership has emphasized that the safety of their employees and customers is their top priority and expressed their condolences to everyone impacted by this violent episode.