A car crashed into El Palacio de los Jugos at 15110 Southwest 56th Street in southwest Miami-Dade on Tuesday, leaving three people hospitalized and triggering a gas leak at the popular restaurant. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed the collision and the resulting injuries as crews worked the scene.
According to CBS News, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue received a report of a car-versus-building collision at the restaurant and confirmed that three people were hospitalized as a result. Three patients in total were transported to local hospitals following the crash.
One Patient Rushed as a Trauma Alert
Of the three people transported, two were taken to local area hospitals, though their conditions were not disclosed in the information released so far. A third patient was transported by ground as a trauma alert to the West trauma center, the more serious designation reserved for patients whose injuries require immediate specialized care.
The crash also caused a gas leak at the site, and the gas company was notified, per the same fire rescue account relayed to CBS News. No additional details about how the leak was being handled were included in the information made public.
Cause of the Crash Still Unclear
Officials have not released the identities of the people hurt in the crash, nor have they released additional information about what caused the vehicle to strike the building. The report remains a developing story that is expected to be updated as more information becomes available.
Crashes involving vehicles striking restaurants have occurred elsewhere in Miami-Dade in recent years. In August 2024, a car smashed into a McDonald's in southwest Miami-Dade, according to NBC Miami, though it was not established at the time whether anyone was injured. In 2021, a driver lost control and crashed into a Miami restaurant, hospitalizing several people, the outlet also reported, while Local 10 reported that four people were injured and listed as stable at Jackson Memorial Hospital after a similar restaurant crash that same year. That same year, Local 10 also reported that a Corvette crashed into the side of Duffy's Tavern, nearly striking the owner who was working inside at the time.
No further details on the extent of damage to El Palacio de los Jugos or the vehicle involved have been released. Hoodline will update this story as Miami-Dade officials provide more information.
