COCOA, Fla. – Several people, including a woman and her 1-year-old child, were injured early Friday when a vehicle slammed into a Waffle House in Brevard County, officials said.
The crash happened around 4 a.m. Friday at 4465 King Street, near Interstate 95 in Cocoa.
According to Brevard County Fire Rescue Lt. Donnie Slayman, an SUV parked outside the restaurant crashed into the building for an unknown reason, and the driver took off.
The mother was taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries, Slayman said. The child was hurt but was not transported to a hospital, he said.
The Florida Highway Patrol said four adults, ranging in age from 19 to 48, were inside the restaurant and sustained minor injuries. Two of them were taken to Wuesthoff Medical Center in Rockledge.
Pastor Curtis Watkins and his family were in the Waffle House eating when the vehicle crashed into the building.
Watkins said his family went to the hospital to get checked out, but he and his family only had bumps and bruises from the crash.
He said he hopes the driver of the SUV will at least come forward.
"We forgive you," Watkins said. "Please come back and turn yourself in."
The driver fled the scene and has not yet been located, officials said. FHP said the SUV should have significant damage to its front end.
A Brevard County building inspector declared the restaurant safe, but advised managers to use caution, FHP said.
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