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Couple Injured After Car Crashes Into Jacksonville Hair Salon, Surveillance Video Captures Impact
A Jacksonville couple suffered injuries after a car crashed through the front of a hair salon and struck them while they were standing at the checkout counter.
The collision occurred on Saturday at Zinke Hair Studio in Jacksonville, Florida, and was captured by the salon’s security cameras.
Aubrey Simpson-Gotham and her husband, Stephan Simpson, were inside the business when a vehicle suddenly entered the salon and slammed into them.
Aubrey sustained cuts to her head that required four stitches and received hospital treatment for anxiety following the incident. Stephan reported continuing rib pain after the collision.
The crash also caused extensive damage to the hair salon, which remained closed on Monday while the owner assessed the damage.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances of the crash.
What Happened at Zinke Hair Studio in Jacksonville?
According to the couple, they were standing at the checkout counter inside Zinke Hair Studio when they suddenly heard a loud crash.
Within moments, a vehicle came through the salon and headed directly toward them.
Aubrey Simpson-Gotham and Stephan Simpson said they had almost no time to react before the car struck them.
Security camera footage captured the incident, documenting the vehicle entering the business and colliding with the couple.
The crash occurred while the couple was inside the salon, an environment where customers and employees would not ordinarily expect to encounter moving traffic.
Both survived the impact, although they sustained injuries.
The initial report does not identify the driver or explain what caused the vehicle to enter the building.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the driver was injured or whether anyone else inside the salon required medical attention.
Jacksonville Couple Describes Terrifying Moments Before Impact
Aubrey Simpson-Gotham and her husband, Stephan Simpson, described the collision as a frightening experience that unfolded with almost no warning.
The couple said they heard a loud crash and then saw a vehicle moving toward them.
Because they were standing at the checkout counter, they had little opportunity to move out of its path.
The car struck them inside the business.
Both later expressed relief that they survived.
Their account illustrates how quickly a vehicle-into-building collision can place people inside a business in immediate danger.
Unlike motorists, customers standing inside a salon have no reason to anticipate a vehicle entering the premises.
The available report does not establish whether the couple attempted to move before impact or provide additional details about the vehicle’s speed.
Woman Suffers Head Injuries Requiring Stitches
Aubrey Simpson-Gotham suffered head lacerations that required four stitches following the collision.
She also received hospital treatment for anxiety related to the incident.
Head injuries can vary considerably in severity, even when the visible injuries initially appear limited to cuts or bruising.
Depending on the circumstances, medical professionals may evaluate patients for concussion symptoms, neurological changes or other complications following a significant impact.
However, the report does not indicate that Aubrey suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
Her documented injuries included head lacerations requiring stitches and anxiety for which she received hospital treatment.
The report does not provide additional information about her recovery or whether she will require further medical care.
Husband Reports Continuing Rib Pain After Crash
Stephan Simpson also sustained injuries in the collision.
According to the report, he continued experiencing rib pain after the incident.
Rib and chest injuries can result from blunt-force impacts, including collisions with vehicles or objects displaced during a crash.
Depending on the severity, these injuries may involve bruising, muscle strain, fractures or other complications.
However, the available report does not identify the specific cause of Stephan’s rib pain or indicate whether he suffered broken ribs.
It also does not specify whether he was hospitalized or underwent additional diagnostic testing.
The full extent of his injuries remains unclear.
Crash Causes Extensive Damage to Jacksonville Hair Salon
In addition to injuring the couple, the vehicle caused substantial damage to Zinke Hair Studio.
The salon remained closed on Monday while its owner evaluated the damage.
Vehicle crashes into commercial buildings can create significant repair and safety concerns.
Depending on the extent of the impact, damaged areas may include windows, entryways, walls, interior fixtures and structural components.
Business owners may need to assess whether the building can be safely occupied before reopening.
The initial report does not specify which parts of Zinke Hair Studio were damaged or provide an estimated cost of repairs.
It also does not indicate when the salon is expected to reopen.
Surveillance Video Captures Car Entering Salon
Security camera footage captured the moment the vehicle crashed into Zinke Hair Studio and struck the couple.
Surveillance video may become an important source of evidence as investigators work to determine what happened.
Depending on the camera angle and recording quality, footage may help establish the vehicle’s movements, the timing of the collision and the positions of people inside the building.
Investigators may also review whether the video shows the vehicle approaching the salon before the impact.
However, the available report does not establish what the surveillance footage reveals about the driver’s actions immediately before the crash.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has not announced a cause.
What Causes Cars to Crash Into Commercial Buildings?
Vehicle-into-building crashes can occur under a variety of circumstances.
In some cases, drivers may accidentally press the accelerator instead of the brake. Other incidents may involve medical emergencies, mechanical problems, driver distraction or a loss of vehicle control.
However, these are general possibilities and should not be treated as explanations for the Jacksonville collision.
Investigators may examine several factors, including:
- The vehicle’s path before entering the salon
- Whether the driver attempted to brake
- The vehicle’s speed immediately before impact
- The location of nearby parking spaces or driveways
- Whether a mechanical problem occurred
- The driver’s statements
- Available surveillance footage
- Physical evidence from the scene
The initial report does not establish whether the vehicle approached from a parking area, driveway or roadway.
There is also no information indicating that the driver was impaired, distracted or experiencing a medical emergency.
The cause remains under investigation.
Florida Law and Driver Responsibility in Vehicle-Into-Building Crashes
Florida motorists have a legal duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care.
This includes maintaining appropriate control, paying attention to surrounding conditions and taking reasonable precautions to avoid foreseeable collisions.
Florida Statute § 316.183 requires drivers to operate at speeds that are reasonable and prudent under existing conditions.
Other traffic laws may apply depending on where a vehicle was traveling and what occurred immediately before a collision.
When a car enters an occupied commercial building, investigators may examine whether the driver failed to exercise reasonable care.
However, the fact that a vehicle struck a building does not automatically establish negligence.
An investigation must determine what caused the vehicle to enter the salon and whether the driver’s conduct violated an applicable duty of care.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has not announced citations or criminal charges in connection with this incident.
Can Injured Salon Customers Pursue Compensation?
When customers are injured by a vehicle crashing into a business, they may have potential personal injury claims if another party’s negligence caused their injuries.
Under Florida law, a negligence claim generally requires proof that a party owed a legal duty, breached that duty and caused compensable harm.
Depending on the circumstances, injured individuals may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other legally recoverable damages.
In this case, Aubrey Simpson-Gotham reportedly required stitches for head lacerations and received hospital treatment for anxiety, while Stephan Simpson continued experiencing rib pain.
Their injuries and any resulting losses would need to be evaluated alongside evidence establishing the cause of the crash.
Because the investigation remains ongoing, the available information does not establish who may be legally responsible.
Emotional Distress After a Traumatic Accident
Physical injuries are not the only potential consequences of a sudden vehicle collision.
Being struck by a car while standing inside a business can be a frightening and potentially traumatic experience.
Some accident victims experience anxiety, sleep disturbances, fear or other psychological symptoms following a serious incident.
Aubrey Simpson-Gotham reportedly received hospital treatment for anxiety after the salon crash.
In Florida personal injury cases, emotional distress may be relevant to damages when the applicable legal requirements are satisfied.
The availability of compensation depends on the nature of the claim, the evidence and the relationship between the accident and the reported symptoms.
The report does not provide details about Aubrey’s treatment beyond indicating that she received care for anxiety.
Could a Business Owner Be Liable for a Car Crashing Into a Salon?
Vehicle crashes into storefronts sometimes raise questions about the safety of commercial properties.
Depending on the circumstances, issues may include the arrangement of parking spaces, the location of pedestrian areas and whether a known vehicle intrusion hazard required additional precautions.
Protective bollards or barriers may reduce the risk of certain vehicle intrusions, but their absence does not automatically establish that a property owner was negligent.
Whether a business or property owner had a legal duty to install protective measures depends on the specific circumstances and applicable law.
The available report does not describe the exterior layout of Zinke Hair Studio or indicate whether protective barriers were present.
There is no reported finding that the salon owner or property owner contributed to the collision.
Any potential premises liability claim would require evidence establishing a duty, breach and causal connection to the injuries.
Evidence That May Be Important in the Jacksonville Salon Crash
The availability of surveillance footage may help investigators reconstruct the collision.
Other potentially relevant evidence includes:
- The salon’s original security camera recordings
- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office crash and incident reports
- Photographs of the damaged building
- Witness statements from employees and customers
- Vehicle damage and inspection findings
- Physical evidence showing the vehicle’s path
- Photographs of nearby parking areas or roadways
- Vehicle event data recorder information, if available
- Emergency response records
- Medical records documenting the couple’s injuries
- Building inspection and repair records
This evidence may help determine how the vehicle entered the business and whether any negligent conduct caused the injuries.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Investigating Hair Salon Crash
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating the collision at Zinke Hair Studio.
The initial report does not identify the driver, explain why the vehicle entered the salon or indicate whether any citations or charges are expected.
Investigators may use the security camera footage, physical evidence and witness statements to determine the circumstances of the incident.
The salon remained closed on Monday while its owner assessed the extensive damage.
Additional information about the investigation and the business’s reopening plans has not been released.
Couple Survives After Vehicle Crashes Into Zinke Hair Studio
Aubrey Simpson-Gotham and Stephan Simpson survived a frightening collision after a car crashed through Zinke Hair Studio in Jacksonville and struck them at the checkout counter.
Aubrey suffered head lacerations requiring four stitches and received hospital treatment for anxiety. Stephan reported ongoing rib pain following the incident.
Surveillance footage captured the crash, which also caused extensive damage to the salon and forced the business to remain closed while repairs were assessed.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office continues investigating the cause of the collision.
We hope both injured individuals receive the care they need and are able to make a full recovery.












