MANCHESTER - Four men were injured early Monday when a man deliberately plowed his small SUV into a crowd outside a Mexican restaurant, police said.

Sgt. Paul Thompson said no one suffered life-threatening injuries but at 6:15 a.m. Monday all were still being evaluated at area hospitals.

"Right now it's looking like there's going to be some stitches and broken bones but they are still at the hospital," he said.

The incident happened at 12:05 a.m. outside the front entrance to Don Quijote Restaurant, 333 Valley St., between Beech and Maple streets.

Two groups became involved in an altercation in the parking lot, but police said it is unclear whether that dispute is what led to the operator driving into the crowd.

What is known is a Hispanic man got into a small silver SUV, similar to a Toyota Rav4 or Jeep Liberty, and drove it into them, Thompson said.

The man then drove off, turning first into the Merrill Street alley and then onto Beech Street.

Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to call police at 668-8711 or Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040.