Car crashes into Shirley deli, causing minor injuries to an owner inside

A car accelerated through the Parkway Deli and Convenience storefront on William Floyd Parkway in Shirley Friday afternoon, causing minor injuries to one of the owners inside.

At about 12:35 p.m. Friday, the driver, a 69-year-old woman, crashed a Subaru Forester through the concrete and glass exterior of the deli between Joe's Pizza and Shirley Smoke and Cigars.

Brookhaven Fire Department Lt. Brian LaMonica Jr. said he and his team responded to assist the Mastic Fire Department at 12:46 p.m. He said one of two people inside the building sustained minor injuries and that the driver, who remained on the scene, refused medical attention.

Police were on the scene. A Suffolk police spokesperson said the driver was not currently facing charges and that the incident did not appear criminal in nature. An investigation remains ongoing.

Sheikh Zubair, one of the shop's owners, said one of his partners was the man injured inside. He said the glass hit his partner and that he was sent to Long Island Community Hospital where he would be further evaluated and possibly receive stitches. 

"That’s my concern," Zubair said of his partner. "I do not care about anything else right now."

Town fire marshals must "evaluate the integrity of the structure," LaMonica said, and confirm if the pizzeria and smoke shop on either side of the convenience store can safely remain open, which they were as of 1:45 p.m.

As Zubair waited for fire marshals to inspect his deli, the front of which was littered with broken glass, concrete chucks and remnants of a crushed counter, he said he was "shocked" when the Subaru "just accelerated" as they neared a parking space in front of his shop "and boom."

"We’ve never even had a robbery before," he said.