A pickup truck smashed through the front doors of an Iowa Wal-Mart store on Thursday, killing three people and scattering merchandise on the floor before it came to a stop at the fresh produce section in what authorities believe was a tragic accident. A photograph posted by the Des Moines Register showed the pickup resting under a sign that said “Fresh Produce,” with boxes and other debris behind it.
“At this time, we don’t have any reason to believe it was intentional,” said Patrol Sgt. Nathan Ludwig, who was at the scene of the crash. Ludwig said officials are investigating all possible scenarios.
A silver Ford F-150 pickup truck broke through the store’s front doors. After it came to a rest, near a refrigerator in the produce department, three people were dead and two others were injured.
Witnesses said the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed as it went through the building entrance. The truck took out a concrete bollard placed outside the Walmart entrance to block vehicles from the door.
Walmart management said in a statement: “We’re heartbroken by what appears to be a tragic accident.”