Caught On Camera: Car Plows Into Diners In Front Of Miami Restaurant

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Shocking video shows an out of control car slam into a group of people dining in front of a Miami restaurant over the weekend.

It happened Saturday in front of Lemoni Cafe and Lemoni Pizza  located at NE 2nd Avenue and 46th Street.

CLICK HERE To Watch Summer Knowles' Report

The city of Miami's public works director told CBS4's Maggie Newland the restaurant did not have the proper permit for a sidewalk cafe.

CLICK HERE To Watch Maggie Newland's Report

On the video, about a dozen people can be seen seated at umbrella shaded tables when a car plowed up into the dining area and slammed into them.

"The car just came and rammed into everything in front of the restaurant the people that were dining out, all the tables and everything are smashed," said a witness.

On the surveillance video, one man can be seen rushing to pick up an injured and crying woman.  Then, he is seen on the video going back to help another person.

"It was crazy it was just pandemonium, it was insane," said a Victoria Edwards, who saw the crash while she was dining outside at another restaurant.

Miami police said the car was a Toyota Camry driven by 71-year-old Belony Alterma. Detectives explained he was traveling south on NE 2nd Avenue and lost control of the car.

"It was pretty disturbing," said witness Joshua Arteaga.

"Almost like horror scene everyone was on the floor there were some kids screaming there were some people who were completely face-down," said Sarah Raw who works at the boutique next door.

CBS4 obtained the 911 call from that day.

911 Operator: How many are injured in the accident?

911 Caller: A lot.

911 Operator: What's a lot? I need to know how many to send.

911 Caller: There's a good 10 people. I need medics out here now.

The ten people who were injured were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, Jackson's emergency room, and Mount Sinai Medical Center. Miami Fire Rescue said two of the injured were pregnant women.

One person remained in critical condition Monday afternoon, according to police.

Alterma said he was driving home from the laundromat with his wife and niece when the crash happened.

"When he pushed on the brakes he felt the vehicle losing control," Alterma told CBS4 through a translator.

Miami Fire Rescue reported the car hit a pole before ending up on sidewalk and that impact may have slowed the car.

"That very light post may have saved all these people's lives," said Officer Kenia Fallat with the Miami Police Department. "That is what took the severe impact."

Alterma was ticketed for careless driving and failing to wear his glasses while driving, Fallat said.

A check of Alterma's records show just one citation in Miami-Dade County in 2011 for driving an unsafe vehicle.

The restaurant could also face consequences due to the crash.

According to Miami's public works director Ed Santamaria, the cafe does not have a permit for sidewalk dining.

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