Eight people were injured, including two critically, Tuesday night when a car crashed into a hair salon in Brentwood, authorities said.
Police said the incident at the BoRics salon at Brentwood Towne Square appeared to be either medical or alcohol related.
Allegheny County police said the incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. when a 58-year-old man crashed his car into the salon. The vehicle went through the salon and stopped when it hit the back wall.
"I think it went straight in," said John Balkovec, Brentwood's EMS chief. "There was no stopping."
Brentwood police and the Allegheny County homicide unit were investigating why the car went into the salon.
The driver and seven others, including at least one person who was trapped under the car, were taken to numerous area hospitals, Chief Balkovec said.
Two of the injured were in critical but stable condition Wednesday morning, police said.
The salon is located between a Dollar Tree and Aspen Dental. There are no parking spaces directly in front of the store.
The manager of the salon, Jackie Ossler, said she came to the store after the incident had occurred and didn't have much information.
Randy Kraus of Whitehall said he was in the salon scheduling a haircut minutes before the car slammed through the front wall.
He said he left the store, went to the Giant Eagle on the other side of the shopping complex, and saw several emergency vehicles when he came out.
"I came over not knowing what was going on," he said "Everybody came out on stretchers. There were a couple of people that looked pretty banged up."
Mr. Kraus said he frequently gets his hair cut at the salon.
"The girls I deal with all the time were in there working, so I'm just hoping they're all OK."
Dozens of ambulances, fire trucks and police cars arrived on scene shortly after the call came in.
Chief Balkovec said officials called in a mass casualty situation, meaning five to eight more ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Six of the injured were found inside the salon and two were outside, Chief Balkovec said. All eight were talking when they were taken away, he said.
The management of Brentwood Towne Square released a statement Tuesday night, offering its “sincere thoughts to the victims involved in the distressing accident.”
“Our hearts go out to them and their loved ones, and we are thankful that others in the area walked away safely. We are working closely with the Brentwood Police Department to learn as much as possible about the incident.”
Andrew Goldstein: agoldstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1352.
First Published: April 25, 2018, 1:10 a.m.