8 Hurt When SUV Crashes Into Wendy's On Long Island
WEST BABYLON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Eight people were hurt Saturday when an SUV crashed into a Wendy's on Long Island.
Police said the accident happened around 1:40 p.m. off Montauk Highway in West Babylon.
The 87-year-old man behind the wheel of the small, burgundy SUV reversed out of a Burger King parking lot across the highway and into the front of the Wendy's, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.
The restaurant was filled with people eating and working, including some children, when glass suddenly flew everywhere.
"She was working behind the counter taking an order, and the car just backed through," said one woman whose daughter was working inside. "There's little kids and babies and a lady, and they just helped everybody that they could and called for help."
Customers who had just been eating lunch jumped into action to help an injured woman.
"She was sitting right next to the car as it came through and she was pinned between the car and some tables," customer John Buchner told CBS2's Lisa Rozner.
Buchner had blood stains on his shirt from carrying the woman, who was bleeding from the broken glass.
"A bunch of people screaming, crying. This woman had a bunch of babies. I took the babies, she's shaken, the kids are all crying," witness Luisa Garfinke said.
"We were just starting to eat and then all of a sudden I heard a big crash," said 11-year-old Olivia Slede.
"My heart was pumping, and I was shaking," added 9-year-old Brody McGowan.
The driver was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, along with seven others who suffered minor injuries, police said.
"The driver was just sitting there," one witness said.
"Just sitting there -- kind of looked like he was just shooken," Frank Inzirillo added.
Authorities said the 87-year-old may have suffered a medical emergency, Hall reported.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. No charges have been filed.