Car slams into AAA office in Lower Burrell injuring the driver and an employee inside

An employee of the AAA travel office in the Crossroads Plaza in Lower Burrell was hospitalized Tuesday after a car slammed into the front of the building.

A Toyota Prius jumped the curb, crashed through the storefront and pushed the woman into the front counter, according to Lower Burrell Fire Co. No. 3 Lt. Rick Pomycala.

The accident happened Tuesday around 4:45 p.m.

Lower Burrell police said the driver, an elderly man, was also transported for evaluation. The crash is under investigation.

Jim Garrity, public relations manager for AAA East Central, confirmed the woman was a AAA employee. He did not identify her.

He said the office will be closed Wednesday, at the least, as they evaluate the damage.

Holly Deakings, of Slippery Rock was getting her nails done with her daughter at the Modern Nails salon next door.

“We felt it,” she said. “It was like a big boom and we all got scared.”

She said they and others in the salon rushed outside to find an elderly man still behind the wheel of the car.

Pomycala said it does not appear the salon or the Fine Wine & Good Spirits on the other side of the AAA office were damaged.