A quiet Saturday afternoon burrito run on Chicago’s Southwest Side turned into a nightmare when a car tore through the front of a Chipotle, injuring three people and shredding the restaurant’s dining room. Diners and employees scrambled to help the wounded as first responders rushed in to secure the scene. Authorities said they were still working to determine what caused the crash.
What officials said
According to NBC Chicago, the crash was reported before 2 p.m. at the Chipotle at 5330 S. Pulaski Rd. in the West Elsdon neighborhood. A Chicago Fire Department spokesperson told NBC Chicago that three people were taken to nearby hospitals. One person was transported in serious-to-critical condition, while two others were listed in good-to-fair condition. Video posted to the Citizen app showed a car sitting inside the dining area, surrounded by shattered glass and extensive damage to the walls.
Storefront crashes and safety
Smash-in crashes like this have increasingly become a worry along some of Chicago’s busiest corridors. In March a van crashed into a liquor store on Pulaski in West Garfield Park and sent several people to the hospital, as FOX 32 Chicago reported. The Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety’s February report highlights “complete streets” investments and other engineering changes as part of the city’s effort to reduce crashes, according to the City Clerk.
What investigators and the restaurant are saying
Chipotle’s store locator lists the restaurant at 5330 S. Pulaski Rd., the same address where the car ended up in the dining room. Investigators remained on scene into Saturday evening and had not released any details about potential charges or the driver’s condition, according to NBC Chicago.
