Fort Lauderdale

7 Hurt as SUV Slams Into Dry Cleaner in Fort Lauderdale

Seven people were hospitalized after an SUV plowed into the entrance of a Fort Lauderdale dry cleaner Friday morning.

A big big clean up job was left behind at the Dry Clean USA store at 749 Southeast 17th Street after a Cadillac SUV smashed through the glass front doors around 9 a.m.

"There was a car fully into the dry cleaner and people trapped in the vehicle," Deputy Chief Timothy Heiser said.

The store's owner said the SUV went right through the front doors and into the next shop.

"Hit the wall hit the counter hit another counter and hit a press," owner Sisnaraine Singh said. "I don't expect anything like this to happen."

Cheribin Charite is an employee and was one of seven people who had to be transported to Broward Health Medical Center.

"Just boom, blow up when I see car inside," she said.

The 85-year-old driver reportedly suffered some sort of medical condition, causing him to lose control of his vehicle, hitting five people inside. The driver had to be extricated from the car. He and a passenger were also taken to the hospital.

Meantime, as workers began to pick up the pieces, customers like Natalie Caudebec showed up after learning the news.

"I don't like to see anything like this," she said.

Caudebec said she was saddened by the unfortunate circumstances, yet grateful because it could have been much worse.

"They're good people. They really are and hopefully they'll get things back in order quickly," she said.

None of the injuries were life-threatening, officials said. The incident is under investigation.

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