Vehicle slams into crowded southeast Houston store

(4/15/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A driver slammed into a store in southeast Houston Sunday.

It happened near the intersection of South Shaver and Edgebrook at La Michoacana. Investigators believe that the driver was making a right turn on Edgebrook when he apparently accelerated his vehicle and jumped the curb.

The white SUV barreled through the front door of the busy meat market. It was a scene so horrific that customers could barely believe what had just happened.

"It was like an explosion and all of the screaming everywhere and the blood," said eyewitness Azelia Aguirre.

Police say a total of 12 people were hurt in the accident, including a pregnant woman. Customers say she was trapped under the SUV. Two children were also injured, including a little girl who apparently suffered the worst injuries.

"It just hit her straight on," said Aguirre. "We thought she was dead."

As customers rushed to the aid the woman and the children, employees say they surrounded the driver, who apparently tried to run off after the accident.

"Everything was in a rush, people were crying," said market employee Jamie Rodriguez. "People were running up and down."

Police aren't sure why the 20-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle. They do suspect alcohol played a role.

"Our preliminary investigation shows that the suspect is intoxicated," said Sgt. Steve Cain with the Houston Police Department.

The damage at the store is expected to be in the thousands of dollars. The store will remain closed until the repairs are done. But that's nothing compared to the devastation inflicted on the victims and the memories left behind.

"It was, oh my God, it was bad," said Aguirre.

The driver was taken to the police department to undergo a breathalyzer test. Authorities say he did have a passenger in the vehicle who did flee the scene.

All of the victims were taken to various hospitals in the area. There injuries are from slight to severe.

Police do have surveillance video of the incident and plan on reviewing it for more clues as to what happened.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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