It was the kind of drive-in service nobody wanted at Bono's Pit Bar-B-Q on Merrill Road. Late Saturday in Arlington, a car smashed through the front of the restaurant, sending diners scrambling and leaving two people with non-critical injuries that required a trip to the hospital. Witnesses said the driver clipped a person on the sidewalk before plowing into the dining area, and that someone had been sitting at the table where the vehicle ultimately came to rest. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews treated and transported both adult patients, then oversaw the removal of the vehicle while they checked the damage. The restaurant was left visibly banged up, and staff began preparing to shift seating while repairs get underway.
What happened
As reported by Action News Jax, witnesses said a person had been sitting at the table that was struck, and that the driver clipped someone on the sidewalk before crashing into the front of the restaurant. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department told the station both people taken to the hospital were adults. According to photos published with the station's report, the car was towed away at around 8 p.m., and the outlet's coverage included on-scene images of the damage and witness interviews.
Restaurant response
A Bono's employee told Action News Jax, "We're still open tomorrow — just with select seating." Staff at the Arlington location were working to clear the dining room and assess damage after the crash, the station reported.
Where it happened
The Arlington Bono's sits at 8011 Merrill Road in a small shopping strip that includes several eateries. Bono's confirms the address on its locations page and lists the Arlington outpost as part of the chain's Florida footprint.
