HOWARD BEACH, Queens (WABC) — A car crashed through the brick wall of a pizza shop in Howard Beach, Queens, on Thursday afternoon, leaving two people with non-life-threatening injuries and forcing the popular pizza shop to close.
The crash happened around 1 p.m. Officials said the woman driving the SUV accelerated instead of braking while trying to park, sending the vehicle through the wall and almost all the way into the restaurant.
The driver was taken to a hospital. A 73-year-old male customer was also hospitalized. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The vehicle was removed after the crash, and crews were working to shore up the damaged area so repairs could be made.
A vacate order was issued for New Park Pizza, which will remain closed until the damage can be repaired and the building can pass inspections.
“We had to do a structural assessment of the building. Buildings is on scene and helping us with that. One car from the parking lot drove straight through the restaurant,” FDNY Chief Malek Alhadi said.
Regular customer Salvatore Furino described the restaurant as a neighborhood institution.
“It’s well known in the whole neighborhood,” Furino said.
New Park Pizza has been in business for decades and has appeared on lists of favorite pizza shops in New York City over the years. During its most popular hours, lines form outside the restaurant.
The family that owns the business has not commented. Customers are hoping the restaurant can make the necessary repairs, pass inspections and get back to serving slices.
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