Parthenon restaurant, DC, crash: Two people dead and at least 9 others injured after car crashed into outdoor diners

TWO people have died after a car slammed into diners at a Washington, DC restaurant's outdoor seating area on Friday.

Police initially said 11 people were hurt in the crash at the Parthenon Restaurant around 12.18pm local time.

Eight victims were taken to the hospital with injuries, including four people who were fighting for their lives.

Two women died at the hospital, according to police sources.

Three other victims were assessed and released at the crash site, firefighters said.

All of the victims were said to be adults who were eating outside the restaurant in the Chevy Chase neighborhood during peak lunchtime.

The mass casualty incident was called in to fire rescue after a man, described as elderly, reportedly lost control of his car and barreled into tables.

Video of the aftermath showed a silver Toyota SUV over the sidewalk near the restaurant and its neighboring lounge.

Police said there was no indication that the crash was intentional.

People who witnessed it flagged down nearby officers, who quickly went to work tending to the injured.

Witnesses described it as a terrible accident with many ambulances rushing to the area.

No structural damage to the building was noted, officials said, and the driver of the car was said to be cooperating with police.

The investigation was ongoing.

A similar crash in Miami Beach in late February sent restaurant customers running for their lives.

One person was killed and several others hospitalized after a driver accidentally crashed into an outdoor dining area.

Police said an elderly woman driving a Bentley was trying to parallel park but instead accelerated onto the sidewalk, hitting multiple tables.