Car plows into pedestrians at grocery store in California mountain town, injuring 4

TRUCK, California — A vehicle crashed into and injured pedestrians Saturday at the entrance to a grocery store in a picturesque California mountain town, police reported.

Four people, including children, were injured when the 49-year-old man drove in front of the Truckee Safeway in the afternoon, city police said in a statement. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police said they believe the man, from the San Joaquin Valley town of Coalinga, intentionally struck the pedestrians and the store.

Scotty Mathewson, 39, said he was shopping with his wife when he heard the crash and frantic screaming.

While his wife called 911, Mathewson helped others make sure no one was trapped under the rubble or in the van. He said an all-boys baseball team was raising money at a table in front of the store, and as he ran to help, parents were desperately trying to reunite their children.

“We see things in the news, and we watch things on YouTube or on TV and all that, but it’s all taken down,” he said. “At least for me, it’s the first time it’s palpable.”

Mathewson also said pedestrians and shoppers yelled at the driver and tried to open the vehicle, but its doors were locked. He said the driver was “sitting there quietly” until police arrived and arrested him a few minutes later.

The 49-year-old driver was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism and violation of probation. He was imprisoned at a facility in Nevada City, which is the Nevada County seat and is about an hour’s drive from Truckee, across a 7,000-foot mountain pass.

There was no public contact or attorney yet for the driver as of Saturday evening.

Truckee, home to approximately 17,000 residents, is known for its pristine winter beauty and proximity to Lakes Tahoe and Donner. February is typically a busy month for winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.