POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A car came crashing into a storefront in Pompano Beach after a van driver fell asleep at the wheel and triggered a chain-reaction crash.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the crash along Sample Road, just west of North Federal Highway, at around 2:40 p.m., Monday.
Officials said the van driver was heading east on Sample Road when he became drowsy and rear-ended a string of other cars. One of these vehicles, a white SUV, went over the median and into a vacant, unoccupied business.
An employee at a restaurant next door to the business said the loud noise startled her customers.
“All my customers sitting, eating, and they’re screaming, and then they’re all going outside,” she said.
“[I thought] I heard thunder, basically,” said a customer.
Cellphone video captured deputies, the restaurant customer and other good Samaritans rendering aid to the woman who was driving the SUV. Glass could be seen shattered around her.
“One of my clients, they tried to take her out, then they took the seat belts out, and they’re trying to make her talk,” said the restaurant employee. “The ambulance came right away.”
Officials said six vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction crash.
Witnesses said the SUV missed the busy restaurant by only a few feet, and no other traffic was on the way when it flew across the westbound lanes.
Paramedics have transported three people to Broward Health North with minor injuries.
The driver who fell asleep was checked out at the scene by crews but was not hurt.
“Thank God,” said the restaurant employee.
Neither business located on either side of the vacant space was affected by the crash.
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