Car Plows Into South Austin Health Clinic (Updated)

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — A suspected drunk driver was hospitalized early Monday after crashing her vehicle into a Southeast Austin health center, officials said.

The incident occurred at Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center, 2901 Montopolis Dr., at around 1:30 a.m. The motorist, a woman in her 20s, was rushed to Dell Seton Medical Center for medical treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said via Twitter.

"The crashed damaged a non-clinical meeting room and part of the front exterior of the building, but the health center opened Monday morning on time and patient services were uninterrupted," Central Health officials said in a subsequent press advisory. "Police were at the scene in about four minutes and arrested the male driver. A female passenger with non-life threatening injuries was transported by ambulance to Dell Seton Medical Center."

No injuries resulted inside the health center, officials said. The center houses a dental clinic and space for yoga and cooking classes, according to reports. Officials said the center would operate as usual on Monday despite the incident.

However, the incident has forced a change of venue for a community discussion that had been scheduled there related to assessing the health needs of Eastern Travis County residents. Central Health officials had planned to conduct the public meeting at the crashed site Monday evening, but have had to scramble in finding an alternative gathering site.

Related story: Officials Seek Input On East Travis County Medical Needs

On Monday, Central Health officials told Patch via email the meeting will take place as originally scheduled on Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., but will be staged instead at their main office at 1111 E. Cesar Chavez. The public is invited to attend the relocated discussion to explore ways of enhancing access to health centers, pharmacies, transportation and groceries in the east part of the county to where many residents have moved, unable to keep up with the increasing cost of living in Austin.

>>> Photo of crash site courtesy of Central Health officials