Car crashes into crowded Houston restaurant

HOUSTON — Several people were hurt when a sport utility vehicle crashed into a restaurant near NRG Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

It happened just before 2 p.m. at Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet at 8236 Kirby near La Concha.

Police said as the driver was trying to park, she accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes, smashing through the front of the restaurant. Surveillance video showed some customers being pushed by the vehicle into the counter near the back of the dining area.

"It's awful, honey. Can you imagine how scary it was?" said Sally Bajarano, a customer. "Eating, enjoying themselves, and the car just goes in the restaurant! Pretty bad."

About 30 customers were inside at the time. Nine were hurt, according to the owner of Dimassi's.

"It was just like a normal day," owner Eihab Aldaloamoni said. "We were back there in the kitchen, you know, serving customers and about 1:49 we heard something really bad happened. All the employees ran to the front, and we saw that car in the building."

Most of the injuries are minor, but some victims were taken to the hospital, according to the Houston Fire Department. Their conditions are unknown.

The woman driving the SUV was not hurt.