WEST PARK, Fla. – A car crashed into the front of a beauty salon in West Park Friday morning, and a 20-year-old woman who was a passenger in that vehicle has since died, her father told Local 10 News.
The incident occurred at the Purple Palace Barber & Beauty Salon at 5600 Pembroke Road.
Sky 10 was above the scene at 6 a.m. as the car was towed away.
A large hole could be seen in the wall of the building.
“The accident occurred right here -- 12:30 (a.m.), my daughter lose her life,” Gregory Hemmings said.
Hollywood police later confirmed that an officer spotted a black Dodge Charger failing to stop at a flashing red light at the intersection of South 56th Avenue and Washington Street around midnight.
According to police, before the officer could initiate a traffic stop, the driver continued south on 56th Avenue and ran a red light at the intersection of 56th Avenue and Pembroke Road before colliding with a car that was traveling west on Pembroke Road.
Hemmings said his daughter Brittney Hemmings, 20, had been picked up from work by a friend just after midnight.
He said the impact from the SUV hitting the car his daughter was in pushed it into the building along Pembroke Road.
Hemmings was forced to watch the scene from afar behind the police tape as detectives were investigating.
“I don’t even get to see my daughter breathing,” he said.
Hemmings said he went to the hospital where his daughter’s friend told him they were enjoying the ride home before this happened.
“They were playing a song, smiling. My daughter died smiling,” he said.
The driver of the Charger was arrested at the scene for driving with a suspended license with knowledge. Police said he may face additional charges.
Purple Palace salon owner Darwin Harris said he was devastated to find out that a young woman had lost her life in the crash.
Glass and other debris was scattered outside his business and inside, the vending machines had been tossed around.
He said another vehicle crashed into his business years ago, but it wasn’t as serious.
“It’s so senseless to know parents are going to deal with this, with a 20-year-old girl -- so senseless,” he said.
Broward Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright told Local 10 News that the Hollywood Police Department is investigating the incident, which started in its jurisdiction.