2 Seriously Hurt As Car Crashes Into Brick Restaurant: Police

BRICK., NJ — Two people were seriously injured Friday night when a car crashed through the front of Lo's Garden, hitting two employees standing in the restaurant, Brick police said Saturday.

The employees, Binxin Zhang, 24 and Min Lin, also 24, both of Brick, were thrown into the kitchen area of the restaurant when they were hit by the car, Patrolman Scott Dierking said. Zhang had cuts and leg pain, and Lin suffered a broken leg, he said. Both were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment, he said.

The crash happened about 10:45 p.m. Dierking said Emil Medina, 36, of Point Pleasant, was backing out of a parking space at the restaurant at 2132 Route 88 when he lost control of his 2014 Mazda 6 and drove into the restaurant.

"It appears the driver may have mistakenly put his vehicle into drive instead of reverse," Dierking said. At this time, alcohol, drugs or cell phone use do not appear to be factors in the crash, he said.

Medina was not injured in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Brick Township Police Emergency Medical Services along with MONOC paramedics responded, along with Laurelton Fire Company. Brick Township Building Department personnel responded and deemed the building safe after their inspection.

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Photo by Gregory Diglio, published with permission