Woman killed, SPCA building badly damaged in crash

A driver was killed when she crashed into the Brandywine SPCA in Delaware shortly after midnight, Sunday. Now the shelter is in desperate need of help in several ways, including adoptions and money.

The woman driving crashed into the New Castle campus building which housed about 100 animals at about 12:15 a.m.

Witnesses told FOX 29's Sabina Kuriacose the woman apparently didn't try to stop and there were no skid marks.

The car ripped through the building, leaving a hole which has now been cut into a square, killing three cats and causing a fire.

According to Linda Torelli of the SPCA, first-responders arrived almost immediately. They got the fire quickly contained, and neighbors ran out to join them collecting the 98 surviving animals -- 36 cats and 62 dogs -- which have all been accounted for. They were relocated to temporary housing.

The SPCA reports, "The shelter portion of the building sustained water and smoke damage. The facility will be closed for an undetermined period of time, pending a building inspection and possible subsequent cleanup and repairs."

Now, three locations to adopt are in West Chester, Pa.; Georgetown, Del., and the PetSmart in Dover, Del.

Torelli said donations are badly needed. She said luckily, the car hit the clinic side so most of the animals were not impacted, but the clinic side makes money so they will be short of cash.

Veterinarians will try to help clients in the Malvern, Pa. clinic.