DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have released surveillance video showing a crash that led an SUV to careen into a Pollo Tropical in Davie, along with surveillance video of the moment of impact inside the fast food restaurant.
The crash killed a mother of two and injured two others at the restaurant, located at the Lakeside Town Shops, at 5780 S University Dr., Friday afternoon.
The footage shows a red Toyota SUV clipping and then swerving around a black Mercedes-Benz sedan on the service road between a Super Target and the Pollo Tropical. Police said the Mercedes-Benz had run a stop sign before making a left turn and striking the SUV.
Investigators said the driver of the SUV hit the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the vehicle to go over a median and straight through the window of the Pollo Tropical, pinning 41-year old Zamara Gonzalez.
The surveillance video from inside the restaurant shows diners standing in line before the vehicle slammed into the business.
“I did feel the impact. I got hit in the back of the head, I got hit on my shoulder,” said Pollo Tropical customer Steve Pierre.
7News cameras captured the vehicle all the way inside the restaurant.
Pierre was not seriously hurt, but he said his 18-month-old daughter, who was sitting in her stroller, was inches away from being hit.
The toddler was not touched, but flying debris pelted Pierre’s 7-year-old son, Cameron Pierre.
Witnesses said they tried to render aid to Gonzalez, who remained pinned underneath the SUV, to no avail.
First responders were able to remove Gonzalez from under the vehicle and transported her to Memorial Regional Hospital, where she later died.
Paramedics also took Cameron to Memorial Regional, where he continues to recover.
“He has a bruised lung, two broken ribs and a lacerated liver,” said Pierre. “He’s actually doing a lot better. I just spoke with the Gonzalez family.”
Gonzalez’s family said she was taking a break from shopping when she went to the Pollo Tropical.
“That could have been me or my kids,” said Pierre. “We were literally inches away.”
Davie Police have not issued any citations in this crash.
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