SUV slams through front window of Planet Wings on Forest Ave. in latest accident at shopping strip

FDNY officials responded to a West Brighton shopping strip Tuesday morning after an SUV slammed through the window of a restaurant.

The female motorist appeared shaken, but avoided serious injury and was treated in an ambulance and released after the accident at Planet Wings at 474 Forest Ave.

Firefighters from Ladder 79 at nearby 1189 Castleton Ave. were on the scene, clearing the window and backing the SUV out of the store.

Planet Wings employee Maynor Gomez had just opened the store, turned the lights on and was three doors down at the Bagel Bin getting breakfast when the accident happened just after 10 a.m.

Planet Wings opens for business at 10:30 a.m.

Workers at stores in the strip said it wasn't the first time such accidents had occurred.

"Third time in a year," said James Martella, Planet Wings owner, as he surveyed the damage. "The parking lot is so small and narrow. At least no one was hurt; it could have been a lot worse."

On Nov. 21, a BMW crashed through the front store window of Starbucks, at 480 Forest Ave. No serious injuries were reported then either.

Martella said Bard Cleaners was also damaged in a similar crash.

"At least it wasn't you guys again," a customer told a barista at the coffee shop after Tuesday's crash.