A car crashed into a Safeway store in Martinez on Wednesday afternoon, leaving one customer injured, according to police.
The incident occurred around 3:46 p.m. at the Safeway on Alhambra Avenue. Officers arrived to find that a vehicle had struck the side of the building near the north entrance.
Police said the driver, a 76-year-old woman, was not injured. She told officers she became confused while attempting to park and accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. The vehicle jumped the curb, knocked over several potted plants, and slammed into the building.
Inside the store, the impact caused an ice machine to topple, striking a 71-year-old woman. The customer fell and hit her head but was conscious and breathing when emergency crews arrived. She was taken by ambulance to John Muir Medical Center in Concord as a precaution.
The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Authorities said the crash appears to be the result of driver error, and there is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved.
6688 Alhambra Avenue, near Pleasant Hill. The other Martinez Safeway is north of Highway 4.
Mr. Mayor of Claycord,
.
Do you know which Safeway on Alhambra Avenue this was, 6688 Alhambra Avenue or 3334 Alhambra Avenue?
The Safeway by Paso Nogal
blech,
.
Thank you.
I don’t know address but it was the Virginia Hills Safeway on Alhambra in Mtz. just past Pleasant hill rd.
Mlynn,
.
Thank you. The Virginia Hills Safeway is 6688 Alhambra Avenue.
This is going to upset many of you: After 65 there should be strict DMV driving tests conducted. Safe to drive, you’re good. If you are not, you should not be on the road putting other’s lives in danger!
I’m not upset, but 65? That seems a little soon to be taking the keys away.
Lots of people still have to work and commute past that age…. hell, with groceries costing 3X what they used to alot of ’em have no choice but to work.
Larry Fitzgibbon,
.
Why, the age of 65 is an arbitrary number?
I am behind remedial driving tests for everyone regardless of age.
It could have been a mechanical problem, like a loose nut behind the steering wheel.
I agree. There are bad drivers at all ages. The testing requirements should also be more stringent to get a license in the first place. The driver license is really a transportation appliance operator’s permit. To get a driver license, you should have to demonstrate that you can perform accident avoidance maneuvers with adequate reaction/response times.
You don’t even need to be able to read traffic signs in English to get a CDL.
There aren’t going to be any serious tests or regulations passed.
Recently more handicapped parking spots were added along the front of this store. I’m thinking that may have been unwise.
Oops,
.
Why? The article didn’t say a handicap played any part in this incident.