1 Woman Dead, Several Injured After Elderly Man Crashes Car Into Wendy's

At least one person died and several others were injured after an elderly man crashed a car into a South Carolina Wendy's.

The crash took place around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday when the driver in a white SUV smashed through the front door of the fast food restaurant located at the Pilot Travel Center in Bishopville, the Lee County Sheriff's Office told WIS-TV. There was another passenger in the car at the time.

While the identities were not released, the driver was believed to be in his 80s, according to News19. "He drove right through the front door and hit people at the counter," sheriff Simon was quoted as saying by the outlet.

Janie Kirkland, 70, of Hartsville, was at the restaurant having lunch with her husband when she was struck by the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband had stepped away from the table to refresh his drink when the vehicle drove through the restaurant, helping him in escaping the accident.

Kirkland's autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Newberry.

At least six people inside the restaurant were reported injured in the incident. One of the victims was pinned under the car, NY Post reported. All the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. However, the exact condition of the victims remained unknown.

The crash also resulted in heavy damage to Wendy's counter. Investigators said the vehicle crashed into the restaurant with enough force to push the counter back into a grill. The car crash left broken tables, damaged ceiling, shattered glass, and smashed pieces of several pieces of equipment in the restaurant.

The driver and passenger of the vehicle didn't suffer any injury in the accident and were examined by EMS. Investigators added the driver was inconsolable after the crash.

"We sat and talked to him when we got there and he was visibly upset and concerned about what actually happened," sheriff Simon said.

Details regarding what caused the man to drive his SUV into the restaurant remained unclear. Troopers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol were investigating the accident with the assistance of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's office wished those injured a speedy recovery.