Police: Car smashes into Central Islip bakery

A Central Islip bakery became an unintended drive-in Monday when police said a driver trying to park outside “accidentally hit the gas pedal,” causing the car to accelerate into the store.

The accident occurred at the Victoria Bakery on Islip Avenue at about 9:15 a.m.

Suffolk County police said a male customer was injured when he fell trying to get out of his seat near the front glass window. He was transported to a local hospital with undisclosed injuries. There were no other reported injuries.

Police said the driver, Kathleen Repreza, 26, of Brentwood, was attempting to park her 1995 Toyota Camry in the lot outside the bakery when, she told police, “her foot slipped off the brake” and she accidentally hit the gas. Photos from the scene showed the front end of the car inside the bakery.

A bakery employee declined to comment when reached by phone.

The fire marshal and town building inspector were notified, police said, though it was not immediately clear if there was any structural damage to the building itself.

No one was charged.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”