Woman Drives Into Grocery Store, Hits Man: Stratford Officials

STRATFORD, CT — A grocery store customer was injured Wednesday when a woman drove through the front of a business and struck a man, according to Stratford police.

An elderly driver was backing out of a parking space at Big Y World Class Market when she apparently hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, Stratford Fire Marshal Brian Lampart said. The woman then drove backwards into the store through an open garage-style door, taking out several produce displays — including some pumpkins — and hitting a man who was leaving the business with his wife, Lampart said.

The man was taken to a hospital with injuries that are not life threatening, police said in a news release. The store, located at 355 Hawley Lane, did not suffer any structural damage, according to Lampart.

The crash occurred just before noon, police said. Caution tape surrounded the seasonal gourd display and produce section about 1:30 p.m., but the vehicle had been removed and customers were shopping inside the store.

Big Y District Director Adam Hession remarked on the rarity of Wednesday's incident.

"I've never heard of anything like this happening in my 15 years working for the company," he said.