Driver cited after car hits gas station

Car goes through glass wall at Hess Express on 79th Street Causeway

NORTH BAY VILLAGE, Fla. – A woman was cited for careless driving after she drove car through the glass wall of a Hess Express gas station on the 79th Street Causeway.

It happened at 1508 79th Street Causeway in North Bay Village about 8 a.m. Thursday.

"It happened so fast. I was shaking," said one employee.

The driver, who asked not to be identified, said she was pulling into a parking space when her mat got stuck under the brake pedal. The car then went through the glass wall.

"I think the mat got stuck. I thought I was breaking and it was accelerating," said the driver. "My immediate reaction was, 'What happened? I hope everyone is okay. I hope nothing happened to anyone.'"

Employees at the gas station said about 10 people were inside at the time.

"I thought it was an explosion," said employee Guertie Valentin, "Some were running. I saw blood drop on the floor."

While the inside of the store is torn apart, the good news is no one was hurt.

"I've seen it happen. I never thought it would happen to me," said the driver.

She was cited with careless driving. 

The hole into the gas station was boarded up on Thursday evening.