Sergeant Tony Woodbridge, of Oamaru, said it appeared a car had slowed for traffic backed up at Oamaru's Northend trafic lights.
It appeared a following driver failed to slow their vehicle and struck the car. from behind.
The car that allegedly failed to stop then crossed the centre line and hit a parked car, spinning it around
Both vehicles ended up on the footpath and a pedestrian was struck, leaving her with what was believed to be a broken foot.
The car that slowed originally for the traffic signal ended up crashing into the Salvation Army Northend store.
Store manager Leighton McLay said the car broke a window.
He believed no customer in the store was at risk when the crash occurred.
He was unsure about any structural damage to the store, but he said it would be assessed this afternoon.
Any costs were expected to be covered by insurance, he said.
Sgt Woodbridge said charges were yet to be laid and inquires were ongoing.
