This silver SUV drove into the Cold Stone Creamery on U.S. 31 in Greenwood Saturday night, injuring six people. Several customers and workers were inside the ice cream shop at the time of the crash.
Two victims of a weekend car crash remained hospitalized Tuesday.
Greenwood police and fire responded around 7:40 p.m. Saturday to the Cold Stone Creamery in the 700 block of U.S. 31, near Fry Road, on the report of a mass casualty event. When they arrived, they learned there were no casualties, but that two people who were inside the ice cream shop when a SUV drove into it were severely injured, police said.
The driver of the SUV told police he was moving the vehicle from one parking spot to another when his foot got stuck on the accelerator, causing it to drive over the sidewalk and into the restaurant, shattering a glass wall. The 44-year-old Indianapolis man stayed on scene and checked on the victims. He did not appear intoxicated and passed all field sobriety tests, but he declined to provide blood and urine samples. His vehicle was impounded for the investigation, according to a Greenwood Police Department report.
The SUV struck four people who were waiting in line to order. Three of the victims were thrown to the side, and one person, a 40-year-old Terre Haute woman, was trapped underneath the car and dragged a short distance before the vehicle came to rest. A witness later moved the SUV to help free the victim who was trapped underneath it. Her leg was severely injured in the crash, according to the report.
The victims suffered injuries ranging from abrasions to fractures and dislocations. The four victims, all adults ranging in age from 37 to 40, were taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Two of the victims are in stable condition, hospital officials said Tuesday afternoon. The other two victims are no longer hospitalized. Two teenagers were also injured by flying debris and glass, the report says.
Several people were inside the building at the time of the crash, including customers and workers, said Jim Ison, Greenwood police chief.
During the accident, the SUV struck the ordering counter, pushing it forward and causing damage to a far wall and adjacent internal structures. Total damages are estimated to be up to $100,000, including the building and SUV, according to the report.
The ice cream shop remained closed Tuesday. It is unclear how long the business will be closed for repairs.
