Cedar Park Reacts to Vehicle Crash Into Dental Office with Plans for Security Barriers

In Cedar Park, Texas, a series of recent vehicle crashes into buildings has raised concerns about public safety, prompting local officials and business owners to consider stronger protective measures, including crash-rated bollards. The issue was brought to light following two incidents this year, one at Cedar Park Dental Wellness in July and another at a CAVA restaurant in October. Fortunately, no one was injured in either crash, but both incidents have sparked a broader conversation about vehicle-related accidents in commercial areas.

Ayrat Yunosov, office manager at Cedar Park Dental Wellness, was taken aback when a truck, rather than reversing from a parking spot, sped forward and crashed into the storefront. “It was kind of like an explosion,” Yunosov recalled. The crash occurred in a room where a patient had been treated just half an hour earlier. “It’s a miracle no one got hurt,” he said.

The dangers of such accidents are not hypothetical. In 2017, a tragic crash at a dental office in Alabama killed a six-year-old child and injured several others, leading the Midfield City Council to mandate crash-rated bollards at buildings where parking is within 10 feet of an entrance.

In Cedar Park, city officials are now exploring similar measures in the wake of these recent crashes. Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin acknowledged the complexity of the issue and expressed interest in the upcoming Austin City Council vote on requiring crash-rated bollards at new hospitals. While the mayor sees the benefits of such policies, he is concerned about the potential costs and emphasizes that the city is focused on broader transportation design standards, including road safety and pedestrian crossings.

The Cedar Park City Council is already drafting transportation guidelines to improve safety. Mayor Penniman-Morin pointed out that bollards could be an effective solution, especially in medical facilities. “If I had a hospital in Cedar Park, I’d install them,” he stated, acknowledging that such safety measures are worth considering.

This comes after a tragic incident in February, when a drunk driver crashed into the lobby of St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, killing herself and injuring five others. Following that crash, Cedar Park Regional Medical Center installed three limestone barriers as protective features, although they have not confirmed if the barriers are crash-rated to ASTM standards.

Despite these efforts, experts argue that crash-rated bollards are crucial in preventing accidents. Rob Reiter, co-founder of the Storefront Safety Council, noted that these crashes happen frequently—about 100 times a day across the nation, often due to driver confusion or distraction. “These accidents are predictable and preventable with the right safety measures,” Reiter said.

The debate over bollards isn’t limited to Cedar Park. In nearby Austin, there are already bollards outside Texas Children’s Hospital North Campus and Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, though questions remain about whether they meet crash-rated safety standards. The recent KXAN investigation into hospital safety has put the issue in the spotlight, prompting the Cedar Park property manager to install concrete curb stops at storefront-facing parking spaces at Cedar Park Dental Wellness as a temporary measure. Bollards are now under consideration for future installation.

Across the nation, similar incidents continue to occur. In Ohio, a vehicle crashed into an opioid treatment center, pinning a woman underneath, while other recent crashes have targeted medical centers in Rhode Island and Maryland. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt in these incidents, but they highlight the ongoing need for improved safety measures.

Back at Cedar Park Dental Wellness, Yunosov hopes that bollards will be the next step in improving safety. “That would be ideal,” he said, reflecting on the recent close call and the importance of taking proactive steps to protect people and businesses from such crashes in the future.

In the coming months, Cedar Park officials will continue to evaluate the potential implementation of bollards and other safety measures, following the lead of cities like Midfield, Alabama, and Austin, Texas. With increased awareness of the issue, many hope that these kinds of accidents can be reduced, ensuring safer environments for all.

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