THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Three pedestrians were injured in The Villages on Monday when a car slammed into a shopping center.
According to a crash report, 55-year-old Steven Read was driving in the parking lot between the Publix and Salon Jaylee along Wedgewood Lane, near East County Road 466, when he had a medical episode and lost control of his car. Troopers said his car traveled up onto a sidewalk, and collided with several planters which caused debris to hit and injure a pedestrian.
Read’s car continued forward on the sidewalk striking another pedestrian, then colliding with a parked vehicle and concrete pillars outside Salon Jaylee where it finally came to rest, troopers said.
Flying debris from the car’s impact with the pillars struck a 13-year-old, according to the crash report.
All three pedestrians suffered serious injuries and were taken to local hospitals.
Jay Schauer said that he had just parked at the Publix when he saw a two-door Mercedes speed through the parking lot.
“He started to get out of the car when he saw this car speed up, engine blasting,” said Schauer. “He knocked that post 60 yards and he came down and he hit one of these supports.”
Salon Jaylee remained closed Monday evening.
It was not immediately known if Read suffered any additional injures from the crash or what his current condition is.