Police have video of what happened on the street — there is at least one NYPD surveillance camera in the area, but what they don't know is what was happening inside the van that hit the three pedestrians.

Authorities say the driver claimed it was the van's floor mat getting caught on the accelerator that caused him to lose control.

It happened at around 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of West 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue, right in front of Madison Square Garden. A 68-year-old man was behind the wheel of the red commercial van that was initially at a stop when seconds later it lurched forward hitting three pedestrians,  then traveling another block before coming to a stop.

Among the victims a 56-year-old woman a 37-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man. They were all taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Authorities took the driver into custody but did not immediately arrest him. We spoke to police and a witness at the scene.

"He's been cooperative with police from the get go," a police official said. "He was shaken up but right now it's an ongoing investigation and like I said he's back at the precinct now"

"They were crying and they were bleeding from what I say they were bleeding but I didn't see the beginning I just saw the ending that's all," said witness Marie Lissouck.

Officials do say the driver tested negative for being under the influence of alcohol - what we don't know is whether or not the driver has been involved in any other accidents - his driving history was not immediately available - but he does have a New York State driver's license

As the investigation into exactly what happened continues,  police say this accident could have been much worse with the amount of foot traffic in this area, and the three pedestrians injured in this case appear to just have minor bumps and bruises.