Wednesday afternoon at the Olive Branch Café in Algiers turned chaotic when a car barreled through the front of the West Bank restaurant, sending diners and staff scrambling and leaving the dining room covered in debris. Witnesses and early reports said several people were hurt as emergency crews rushed to the scene. The restaurant remained closed into the evening while crews worked and investigators checked the building for structural damage.
What happened
According to WGNO, the vehicle crashed through the building's front wall and came to a stop inside the dining area. First responders arrived quickly and treated people at the scene, but officials had not immediately released information on how many were injured or how serious those injuries were. The coverage included eyewitness accounts of patrons fleeing as crews secured the restaurant and surrounding area.
Damage and business response
On its Facebook page, the Olive Branch Café said the Algiers location "will be closed until further notice." The restaurant’s contact information lists the Algiers address as 5145 General de Gaulle Dr., and describes the business as a family-owned pizza and Italian spot serving the West Bank community, with links to the café’s social media accounts.
Investigation under way
Photos published with the report, credited to Rick Gogreve of WGNO, show the car sitting inside the dining room and significant damage to the storefront. Officials at the scene were working to determine what caused the crash, and there was no immediate word on any charges or citations. NOPD and emergency crews stayed on site into the evening while structural and safety inspections continued.
By Wednesday night, city officials had not released additional details, and local police and the restaurant did not immediately provide further comment. This story will be updated as more information becomes available from officials.
