A Saturday morning brunch turned deadly on the Jersey Shore when a 93-year-old driver crashed an SUV through the outdoor dining area of a popular restaurant, killing one woman and injuring seven others.
The crash happened at about 11:12 a.m. on Sept. 19 at Meg’s Grill in Lavallette, New Jersey, a small beach town in Ocean County. Police said the driver, a 93-year-old Lavallette woman, was attempting to park a 2014 Buick Encore in front of the restaurant when she apparently pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.
The SUV surged forward into the patio, where customers were eating, before crashing into the building.
A 56-year-old woman from Toms River suffered fatal injuries. Seven other restaurant patrons were hurt and transported to area hospitals with a range of injuries, according to Lavallette Police Chief Christian LaCicero. The driver suffered a minor hand injury and was also taken for treatment.
Police did not initially release the name of the woman who died.
Early reports from the scene described a massive emergency response as police officers, firefighters, paramedics and building officials converged on the restaurant. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Toms River police and EMS, Seaside Heights emergency crews and several other agencies also assisted.
The impact caused damage near both Meg’s Grill and neighboring Cornerstone Wine & Liquors.
The restaurant itself did not suffer major structural damage, but the crash tore through the outdoor seating area and damaged part of the neighboring property. Cornerstone’s owner told The Ocean Star that an engineer had already inspected the building and that both businesses hoped to reopen once officials determined it was safe.
No employees at Meg’s Grill were injured.
The restaurant announced that it would remain closed Sunday and Monday as staff dealt with the aftermath.
“Our building is fine and was undamaged. But I can’t say the same for our hearts,” the restaurant said in a Facebook statement quoted by local media.
The business also praised customers and emergency workers who rushed to help immediately after the SUV struck the dining area.
The timing made the crash especially devastating.
Meg’s Grill is primarily a breakfast and lunch restaurant, and the collision happened during its busy Saturday morning service, when customers were seated just feet from the parking spaces along Grand Central Avenue, which is also Route 35 through Lavallette.
Authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.
Police have not announced any charges against the driver, and the account that she mistakenly hit the accelerator rather than the brake remains the preliminary explanation provided by investigators.
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