MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Two people are injured and several cars are damaged after a driver lost control of their vehicle and drove into the walls of a tiki bar at a Manatee County hotel, officials say.
The Florida Highway Patrol says a 63-year-old driver was driving northbound around 3:34 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of the RaceTrac gas station located on U.S. 41 near North Tamiami Trail.
The driver reportedly lost control of his vehicle and collided with a fence.
FHP says he continued to go north and drove the car towards the outside bar of the Lantern Inn and Suites, located next to the gas station.
Investigators say the driver hit the right side of two pedestrians in the area who have since been taken to a hospital. One of them, a 69-year-old Bradenton man, was listed with critical injuries. The other, a 59-year-old Bradenton woman, was listed with serious injuries.
The suspected driver also allegedly collided with a concrete wall and a vehicle in the parking lot. Debris from the wall also damaged three other vehicles parked at the hotel.
FHP is currently investigating this crash.