Veterans Hall Crash Survivor Shares Story in Exclusive Citizen Interview
Excelsior Springs, Mo. — What had never happened in over a century of history happened twice in less than four months. On a quiet Wednesday morning in May 2025, Corrie Wright became the second driver since February to crash a vehicle into the roof of the Clay-Ray Veterans Hall.
Wright, a local volunteer with the Good Samaritan Center, had just picked up bakery items from Price Chopper as part of his regular food distribution route when the unexpected happened.
“Everything went blank,” Wright said in an exclusive interview with the Excelsior Citizen. “Later, I found out I had a seizure. I don’t remember anything from the crash, or even climbing out of the car afterward.”
Wright’s vehicle veered off the road, vaulted into the air, and landed in the roof of the veterans hall, a near-miraculous incident from which he walked away with only minor injuries. He was transported to the hospital, where he says he began to regain awareness, unsure of where he was or how he got there. “I didn’t even recognize my fiancée at first,” he said.
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According to Wright, he had no known history of seizures prior to this event, though a similar unexplained episode may have occurred while he was asleep years ago. Following the crash, Wright has been placed on anti-seizure medication and has been medically restricted from driving for at least six months. He also confirmed that his vehicle was fully insured.
Despite the nature of the crash, Wright said the community response has been overwhelmingly supportive. “People have been kind and understanding. One woman at Walmart even came up and just said she was glad I was okay.”
Initial exterior roof repairs at the Clay-Ray Veterans Hall have been completed, and temporary barriers are now in place to protect the site. To support ongoing needs at the hall, the Excelsior Citizen has launched a fundraising campaign. Proceeds from the sale of custom “Yee-Haw” shirts will go directly to the Clay-Ray veterans to be used at their discretion.
“Looking at my car afterward, I just couldn’t believe I made it out,” Wright said. “There’s no way I should have walked away from that… I still get chills when I think about it.”
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If remembering right I met Mr. Wright the last time I lived there. It is amazing of the outcome. He walked away.
I’m glad he’s going to be okay. If it wasn’t for this page Excelsior has up. I unfortunately wouldn’t hear what is going on there. Would love to move back to there. Hopefully some day I can.
Thanks to Jason Cole for his fantastic reporting.
Thank you for reading, Bobby! We hope that you can get back some day!