Woman hit as out-of-control SUV slams into tanning salon in Madison Heights

Woman hurt when SUV crashes into building

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – A sport utility vehicle crashed into a tanning salon Thursday afternoon along John R. Road between 12 Mile and 13 Mile roads in Madison Heights.

The white SUV crashed into the front of Chili Peppers Tanning. A 56-year-old woman was injured. She was walking on the sidewalk when she was struck by the vehicle before it crashed into the building.

Watch surveillance video of the crash here

Police said a ledge prevented the vehicle from crushing the pedestrian. Cuong Nquyen, who works at the restaurant next door, rushed over to help the woman. First responders arrived within less than a minute and hurried the woman to the hospital with serious injuries. Her brother told Local 4 she is lucky to be alive.

"She was all crumbled up," said Nquyen.

Brittni McAlpine, who works at the salon, said she saw the woman walking with a pizza from Hungry Howie's just moments before the crash.

"I heard her scream. She tried to run in the other direction and she had no time to get out of the way. The car lifted her up and threw her through the window," said McAlpine.

It's not clear what caused this crash. Police say the driver is a 77-year-old woman who had a passenger in the vehicle.

Stay with ClickOnDetroit and Local 4 for more information as it becomes available.