4 hurt when car hits Chicago restaurant

A van veered off a downtown street and slammed into a restaurant Monday, injuring four people, two critically, authorities said.

The driver suddenly veered onto the sidewalk around 9:30 a.m., hitting a pedestrian and striking the Cosi restaurant, Chicago Police spokesman John Henry said. A witness said the driver appeared to have been trying to avoid another vehicle.

The pedestrian and a person in the van were taken to hospitals in critical condition, said Chicago Fire Department spokeswoman Eve Rodriguez. Two others injured in the van were in stable and good condition, she said.

Henry said police had not yet determined whether citations would be issued.

"I've been shaking all morning," said Tom McCarthy, 30, who was at the restaurant and saw the crash. "It was just the scariest thing I'd ever seen."