Willimantic — Three people were hospitalized after a vehicle plowed into the dining room of a Chinese restaurant on West Main Street Wednesday, police said.

First responders were called at 3:44 p.m. to a shopping plaza at 1601 W. Main St. where Willimantic police said a vehicle in the parking first struck a parked car and then crashed through the front of the Peking House Restaurant where people were eating.

There were four victims, including an occupant of the vehicle, two restaurant patrons and one employee, according to Willimantic Police Sgt. Ian Brown.

One restaurant patron was flown by Life Star helicopter to Hartford Hospital with serious injuries. Two people were taken by ambulance to Windham Community Memorial Hospital. Another refused treatment.

The Willimantic Fire Department and Windham Hospital paramedics responded with police to the scene.

Police, who have not yet released the names of the people involved, said the cause of the accident is part of the ongoing investigation.