1 Killed As SUV Crashes Into Outdoor Diners At Jersey Shore Restaurant: Report

LAVALLETTE, NJ — A Toms River woman was killed and several other people were injured on Saturday when an SUV hit people as they were dining outside at a Lavallette restaurant, according to a report.

The 56-year-old woman who died in the crash at Meg's Grill, 1401 Grand Central Ave., was not further identified, according to the report by News 12 New Jersey. At least seven people were injured, the report said.

The report said the driver of the SUV, a 93-year-old Lavallette woman, hit the accelerator instead of the brake while trying to park at the restaurant late Saturday morning and drove into the outdoor dining and into the restaurant.

None of the restaurant's staff members were injured, according to the owner of Meg's Grill, who posted a pair of messages on the restaurant's Facebook page.

Meg's Grill will be closed Sunday and Monday, the owner wrote.

"Our building is fine and was undamaged. But I can’t say the same for our hearts," the owner wrote. "All of our thoughts and prayers are with the people who were hurt. We are closing tomorrow and Monday out of an observance of compassion for my staff and those affected."

"Please give an enormous hug to your loved ones tonight. Thank you for all your kind words and thoughts," the owner wrote.

"I would also like to say that the emergency response teams were incredible," the owner wrote, along with customers who immediately jumped into action, which "was a testament to how incredible humanity really is. We are grateful for everyone."

Patch has requested additional information from Lavallette police.