10 Hurt, 1 Critical After Vehicle Crashes Into Little Caesars

PACOIMA (CBSLA.com) — Ten people were reportedly injured, at least one critically, when a vehicle crashed into a Little Caesars pizza restaurant in Pacoima Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, at the 12700 block of Van Nuys Boulevard near the intersection of Glenoaks Boulevard.

A white Toytota Rav4 crashed into the restaurant through the front window.

Los Angeles City Firefighters arrived on scene to treat injuries minutes later.

Three of the injured victims were children, who were transported to the hospital after being secured on stretchers. Seven other adults also suffered injuries.

The critically injured victim is a five-year-old girl.

"It was just a big 'bang', and it was unreal, it was outrageous," one witness said. "It was just people scattered everywhere."

It was not clear how many injuries may have been related to broken glass.

"It was horrible," the witness said. "It was something I'd never seen before in my life. It was just horrific."

When firefighters arrived on the scene, the vehicle was idle and completely inside the restaurant, where structural damage is said to be minimal.

LAPD arrived on the scene as well, where an investigation into the crash continues.

The driver, a 60-year-old woman, also had two children inside her car, who did not suffer any injuries.

Police say the driver hit the gas pedal instead of the brake.

"We're investigating the cause of the collision, and whether or not there was any impairment on the part of the driver," LAPD Capt. Maureen Ryan said. "We don't have that yet."

The driver had not been cited as of 10 p.m. Monday.