9 Injured When Car Smashes Into Waukegan Restaurant

Nine people were injured, including four children, when a car smashed into a restaurant in suburban Waukegan on Saturday afternoon.

One of the children inside the establishment was taken to Lake Forest Hospital in critical condition, according to the Waukegan Fire Department. Two adults inside the restaurant at the time of the accident were also listed in critical condition, and were taken to Condell Hospital.

The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at Toluca’s Mexican Restaurant. Surveillance video at the restaurant shows the SUV go into reverse, speed toward the building, and crash through the side of the restaurant without slowing down. Seven people inside the restaurant were injured, and two people in the car were hurt.

The elderly driver of the vehicle was issued citations for improper backing and reckless driving by police, and was taken to a local hospital along with a child that was also in the car, according to authorities. 

A family was eating lunch inside the restaurant at the time of the incident. Officials say it is unclear what caused the vehicle to lose control before crashing into the building.

The remaining six non-critical victims were taken to Vista East and Vista West with minor-to-moderate injuries, according to fire officials.

According to NBC 5, the restaurant will remain closed for at least a week as repairs are done to the building. 

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