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6 Hurt When Car Plows 80 Feet Into Newark Macy's Store; Driver May Have Had 'Medical Episode'

NEWARK (KPIX 5) --  A car plowed into the Macy's department store in Newark late Wednesday afternoon, injuring six people, including three shoppers.

The crash took place at 4:48 p.m. in the store located at the NewPark Mall, according to authorities.

RAW VIDEO: Scene Of Car Into Newark Macy's

A blue Honda Fit hatchback reportedly cut a path through the parking lot and through the front doors, stopping 80 feet inside the store, in the men's department.

"She was moving at speed when she went into the building," Alameda County Fire Battalion Chief James Watkins told KPIX 5.

Newark police officers said there are no signs that the driver tried to stop in the parking lot, and that the braking skid marks only started inside the department store. Alameda County firefighters think the driver had a "medical episode" that caused the crash.

A man who was shopping at the store was rushed from the scene in critical condition.

Firefighters said there was no structural damage to the mall, but the store was evacuated due to the crash.

Employees who were not working at the time dropped by the store upon hearing news of the crash, to check on their coworkers.

"I was nervous, actually. I saw the helicopters from the 880 exit, so I was really scared. I don't want to lose any of my friends and I'm scared for the people in the car," said Macy's employee Pooja Kaur.

As of late Wednesday night, the car remained inside the Macy's. It is unclear when the car would be towed away and when the store would reopen.

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TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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