The incident occurred near the hours when families and friends gathered to share a meal at approximately 6:30 p.m., according to statements obtained by local news sources. Witnesses present during the crash relayed the chaos that ensued as a car, for reasons yet unknown, accelerated into the eatery located at 2272 Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Rd.
O'Charley's spokesperson via WBNS confirmed that 13 individuals were taken to a local hospital with predominately minor injuries. These incidents were reported as non-life-threatening, including primarily bruises and cuts, covered by bandages. Alongside a car, the poignant stories of those affected stand amidst the vehicle's wreckage and the disrupted dinner plans.
According to the Reynoldsburg police dispatcher, eight victims were transported to the hospital by ambulance. In contrast, four others sought medical attention on their own at a nearby hospital, in a story reported by NBC4i. The aftermath of the accident, captured by observers, showed the vehicle's penetration into the restaurant's "to go" section, shattering what once were fully intact glass barriers separating patrons from the elements of Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Road outside.
Violet Township Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Birdwell, in statements to both NBC4i, ascertained that no serious structural damage to the building seems to have occurred, despite the severity of impact, and called the injuries "traumas," without specifying further detail. While the driver's identity has not been revealed, a witness described seeing an elderly man, believed to be between 60 and 70 years old, emerging from the crashed vehicle in an alert state.
O'Charley's Chief Operating Officer, Clint Lautenschleger, expressed gratitude for the rapid response of first responders and the composed demeanor of the staff under the harrowing circumstances. "The restaurant has been closed and will remain closed until we can fully assess and address the damage," Lautenschleger said in a statement obtained by WBNS. As of now, the restaurant's operations are suspended indefinitely until repairs and investigations are complete.
