According to initial reports, an older adult attempting to parallel park her car has left one person dead and several injured after she accelerated her vehicle and drove into an outdoor dining area in Miami Beach, Florida.
Miami Beach police said in a statement that the incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m on Thursday. The police and fire departments responded to a crash at Call Me Gabby’s pizza restaurant.
According to preliminary evidence gathered by the police, the elderly woman hit several tables in the restaurant’s outdoor area after she accelerated her vehicle while attempting to parallel park.
Seven patients were transported to the hospital. Washington Avenue between South Pointe Drive and 1st Street was closed off by police as authorities continued their investigation.
“Unfortunately, one of the patients transported has died at the hospital,” police said.
A three-year-old was amongst the survivors and suffered minor injuries. The driver of the deadly crash was not hurt.
“There was a small boy and a few people trapped underneath the vehicle,” Robert Deburro told WPLG. “A bunch of people lifted the car and pulled a young boy out.”
Police have not released the name of the driver or the victims.
The accident was called a “devastating tragedy,” by Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.”Our entire city grieves for all the victims and their families,” he said in a statement.
Overturned tables, cloth napkins, and evidence markers still lined the sidewalk outside the restaurant, hours after the crash.
Twitter user Clement Lottier posted a video of police and first responders arriving at the scene. Smoke appears to be in the background.
