The driver was allegedly trying to parallel park his car when he pressed on the gas instead of the brake. The car hopped over the curb, and clammed into the cafe, the Chronicle says. The crash happened just after 12:30 p.m., peak time for a place that serves lunch. Most of those injured were eating when they were hit.
"This is one of the busiest areas at one of the busiest times," Palo Alto police officer and spokeswoman Marianna Villaescusa told the Chronicle. "We were lucky the Fire Department was right around the corner and the Police Department was only a block away."
Police shut down a section of the street to deal with the accident, and the Cafe shut down for several hours before reopening later in the day, the Chronicle says.
The driver's license was confiscated at the scene, though he has not been charged with any crimes, Palo Alto Online reports. Since he was not driving under the influence and had a valid driver's license, at the worst he faces an infraction for driving on the sidewalk.
Business Insider has reached out to the restaurant for comment.
Driver slams into diners sitting outside university cafe in downtown Palo Alto. At least 5 taken away by ambulance. pic.twitter.com/MMNnrYiB1L
- Julia Popowitz (@juliapopowitz) July 31, 2014