Four people were taken to area hospitals early Thursday afternoon after a vehicle crashed into the rear of a Hometown business.

According to Cpl. Duane Frederick, Rush Township police, a car driven by Jean Bubernak, 76, Coaldale, struck the rear of a building at 219 Claremont Ave., SR309, about 1:04 p.m. The building houses Physical Therapy Specialists. Frederick said it appeared that Bubernak mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake."She went to turn into the parking lot," said Frederick.The momentum sent the 2007 Buick Luzerne CXL into the west wall of the building at a location where employees occasionally step outside to sit at an adjacent picnic table during lunch break. The car injured three along the way and apparently struck a steel door at the rear of the building.Three were taken to St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, with another taken to St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill.One of the injured, Pamela Peduto, 44, Drums, appeared to have suffered a broken leg.Those taken to Coaldale, included: Susan Lesniak, 50, Tamaqua, Tina Kristoff, 38, Conyngham, and Bubernak.The initial 9-1-1 call mentioned that some were injured inside the buildingAt least one of the injured was hit from behind by the vehicle."I think the bumper hit my back," said Lesniak at the scene as she awaited arrival of the ambulance. "It knocked me to the ground."Among the units responding were Tamaqua ambulance, Ryan Township Emergency Rescue, Hometown Fire Co., Tamaqua Rescue Squad, and Lehighton ambulance.