Car crashes into Lake County dance studio, forcing family-owned business to seek new space

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Alberto Hoyos has been teaching dance in Central Florida since 1989.

He said one of the best lessons he helps his students master though is self-discovery.

Alberto and his wife, Selena Hoyos, own Life Dance Mastery in Howey-in-the-Hills.

But on May 18, surveillance cameras caught a vehicle speeding down South Palm Avenue and crashing right into their dance studio.

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According to the crash report, an officer clocked the driver going 24 mph over the posted speed limit.

Before the officer could catch up with the driver, he had already driven into the building.

This all happened just 20 minutes after Alberto’s dance class ended inside.

“God was on our side because if he wasn’t on our side, we would’ve been in there, and we wouldn’t be here,” Alberto Hoyos said.

The family said drivers speed on that road often because there’s not a four-way stop light at the intersection.

While talking to the owner, News 6 reporter Treasure Roberts even saw Howey-in-the-Hills police pull someone over.

The family encourages drivers to slow down before someone gets hurt.

Alberto Hoyos is grateful no one was injured after the crash into his studio, but with his classes on hold until further notice, the community is hurting.

Glennys Barber took classes at the studio eight hours per week. She said that before she started taking dance lessons, she was in low place.

“My husband died seven years ago,” Barber said. “I just didn’t want to live, but now I do.”

Barber said it’s all because of Alberto Hoyos’ classes. Without them, she said she has too much free time.

“It’s not nice. You’ve got nothing to look forward to,” Barber said.

Another student, Noah Densmore, came to the scene of the crash that night.

“I mean it was a great shock,” Densmore said. “This has affected their business in a great way financially because this is all they have.”

The family has created a GoFundMe welcoming any donations to help them get through this tough period. They are also looking for a temporary space to hold their dance classes.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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