BREAKING: Several People Hospitalized After Brighton Beach Car Accident

We just received word that a driver lost control of his car, jumped the sidewalk and struck six four (or six) people on Brighton Beach Avenue, possibly leaving one pedestrian in critical condition. (Updates at end of post.)

The accident happened at approximately 1:45 p.m., between Brighton 4th Street and Brighton 5th Street, and emergency personnel responded quickly.

After hitting the pedestrians, the car also slammed into the recently opened storefront of Best Buy International Food (411 Brighton Beach Avenue), shattering the glass. It does not appear anyone inside the store was injured.

Our tipster, Mikhail B., was on the scene and sent us the photos and the following information:

Guy was in middle of street reversed very fast onto sidewalk. Hit 6 people. Few had cuts one looked very critical. Covered in blood not moving. Accident on Brighton between Brighton 4th and 5th.

We are awaiting further details from the NYPD.

UPDATE (2:33 p.m.): We just got off the phone with Yelena Makhnin, executive director of the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District, who arrived on scene after the accident.

According to Makhnin, four people were taken away by ambulance. Three were taken to Coney Island Hospital with minor injuries. The fourth, a female senior citizen, was taken to Lutheran Medical Center for more serious injuries, though her wounds are not expected to be life threatening.

It’s believed the driver of the car, a man Makhnin said was more than 80 years old, mistakenly hit the gas instead of the brakes. He was also taken to the hospital.

UPDATE (2:46 p.m.): Another tipster, Erica K., contacted us to say she also heard six. We know that four were taken to the hospital. It is possible that the other two turned down medical treatment at the scene.

This is a breaking news story and may contain inaccuracies. We will update it as more information becomes available. If anyone has more information or additional photos, please send them to tips (at) sheepsheadbites (dot) com.