5 Hurt When Driver Crashes Into Restaurant Patio
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Five people were hurt, two seriously, in west suburban Warrenville Wednesday when a car drove through a restaurant patio and into the side of the building at the height of the lunch hour.
The motorist was attempting to park her 2011 Buick LaCrosse outside of the Rock Bottom Brewery, at 28256 Diehl Rd. in Warrenville.
Deputy Police Chief Dave Schar said that instead, the Buick suddenly accelerated through a wrought iron fence and onto the patio, knocking over tables and pinning a waiter momentarily against the restaurant wall. Schar said that when the motorist tried to back out, she hit several parked cars behind her.
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"We don't believe she was trying to flee," Schar said. "We believe she just over-reacted with the gas pedal."
Warrenville and Naperville paramedics transported the injured to Edward Hospital, in Naperville. Three were released after treatment, while the others were admitted in serious condition.
"The patio was full of lunch time people, so it could have been much worse," Schar said.
The motorist was unhurt.
Illinois State Police are checking to see if the car's brakes failed, and no decision had been made relative to charges as of late Wednesday afternoon.
The restaurant was closed immediately after the accident, and its manager was discussing repairs to the patio Wednesday afternoon.
