2 hurt when pickup truck crashes through AutoZone store

A driver apparently suffered a medical episode shortly before crashing his pickup truck into an AutoZone in Ventnor Heights on Monday, police said. (Courtesy of Jim Waninger)

A pickup truck crashed through an AutoZone store in Ventnor Heights Monday, injuring two people and causing extensive damage to the building, police said.

"We're a drive-through now," said one of the store's managers, who would identify himself only as Giovanni.

"The store is destroyed, but thank God nobody was seriously hurt," he said.

The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. at the store on Wellington Avenue, according to Ventnor City Police Lt. Louis Kabo.

"One person in the store waiting to purchase an item was struck by flying debris," Kabo said.

Kabo said the 38-year-old driver apparently suffered a "medical episode" before the accident.

"He apparently wasn't feeling well, pulled over and the car just darted across the parking lot and into the store," Kabo said.

Kabo said the man had been driving on Wellington Avenue when he pulled over.

"This guy came off the road, across the parking lot and accelerated right through the window," said Jim Waninger, who was loading his car with groceries at the nearby Acme Markets.

"It was like a movie scene - crazy," Waninger said. "He almost came out the other side of the building."

Both driver and customer were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Kabo said.

No charges were filed Monday night.

Police said the crash is under investigation.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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