A silver Toyota sedan veered off of No. 3 Road Wednesday morning, struck two pedestrians and crashed into a restaurant just south of Westminster Highway.
A witness told the Richmond News the driver was an elderly woman and there was no apparent reason why she turned onto the sidewalk.
The car was driven with such force that it drove over a young tree and smashed through the One Cafe window, hitting a water main and causing it to burst.
The witness, a person who works in the area, said a panhandler who frequents the area often was struck and taken to the hospital by ambulance paramedics.
Richmond RCMP confirmed two people on the street were hit and taken to hospital in stable condition. Police initially confirmed the accident only involved one vehicle, however, it later stated two other vehicles were involved in an initial collision.
The witness said he saw emergency personnel tending to the elderly woman while sitting on a nearby chair along the sidewalk. Richmond RCMP stated the 78 year-old driver was transported to the hospital, also in stable condition.
At least seven police cars, two firetrucks and two ambulances attended the accident scene and City of Richmond officials were also on hand assessing the water main.
Police said alcohol was not a factor.
Any witnesses are being asked by Richmond RCMP to contact the detachment.
