2 Hurt When Car Slams Into Restaurant In Red Bank, N.J.

RED BANK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Customers were shaken Tuesday after a car crashed into a takeout restaurant in Red Bank, New Jersey -- leaving the glass windows shattered.

As CBS2's Christine Sloan reported, a 71-year-old motorist slammed into the Cluck U-Chicken restaurant, at 50 Water St. in Red Bank, New Jersey, around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday.

"Just shocked, just shocked," said employee George Anderson, who was working behind the counter at the time. "I was just running for my life."

Anderson was working behind the counter at the time.

"I broke my hand," he said. "(I'm feeling) very lucky.

Anderson, of Middletown, New Jersey declined medical treatment for his hand injury, according to Red Bank police. But the horror of the incident shocked everyone.

"A car came in, pinned a guy against the front counter, and he just turned and ran," said restaurant employee Brian Anderson, George Anderson's brother.

A customer, Michael Mikucki, also refused treatment after suffering a minor leg injury, police said.

"He seemed like he got up and walked away," said store employee Vincent Sgro.

Mikucki told CBS2's Sloan by phone that he survived the accident by jumping over the car as it barreled in. He said his leg was pinned behind the counter for a few seconds.

Similar incidents have happened four times in the very same strip mall.

"This is not unusual," said Jennifer Mann. "This same incident occurred to our store, Yo Mon frozen yogurt, in December last this year."

It also happened to Jersey Mike's Subs in the summer, and this was even the second time someone has crashed into Cluck-U Chicken restaurant in Red Bank.

"Clearly, there is a problem that needs serious addressing over here," Mann said.

Business owners said the curb is too low, and suggested safety measures.

"I don't think it's the curb. They need to put up, like, cement pillars like they have like in front of, like, Wawa and Quick Chek," Brian Anderson said.

That is something the strip mall's landlord will have to look into. CBS2 was unable to reach him Tuesday.

The building has been deemed structurally sound, but the damage to the façade and the interior was extensive and Cluck-U Chicken will be closed until repairs can be made, police said.

Police did not issue a summons to the driver, who was identified as Liv Wilson of Holmdel.