A group of California diners narrowly escaped disaster when a pickup truck suddenly came crashing through the front of a busy restaurant, sending glass and debris flying across the dining room in a terrifying moment captured on surveillance video.
The shocking incident unfolded shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, at Chicken Thyme and Kabob Craze in Concord, where several customers were enjoying their meals when the vehicle suddenly barreled through the building’s glass storefront.
Within seconds, what had been an ordinary afternoon turned into a chaotic scene, with the truck smashing into the restaurant and leaving tables, chairs and pieces of the building scattered across the floor.
But what makes the dramatic footage even more remarkable is that everyone inside somehow escaped injury.
Restaurant owner Fraidoon Jamshed told KRON4 that approximately seven or eight customers were seated inside when the truck came crashing through the front windows. He was standing behind the counter and had virtually no time to react.
The truck reportedly struck the curb before launching into the restaurant with enough force to damage a concrete support column holding up part of the building.
Jamshed said the vehicle appeared to be traveling at an extraordinary speed, estimating that it may have been moving between 70 and 80 mph. Police have not independently confirmed that estimate.
According to the owner, the driver did not appear to brake before impact, and the truck’s engine continued revving even after the vehicle had come to a stop inside the business.
“His foot was still on the gas, and we had to open the car and remove his foot from the gas,” Jamshed recalled.
Surveillance footage shows just how quickly the situation unfolded. Customers can be seen sitting peacefully at their tables moments before the pickup suddenly bursts through the storefront, leaving those nearby scrambling amid the confusion.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Despite the terrifying force of the crash, no injuries were reported, something Jamshed described as nothing short of miraculous.
“And thank God that it’s miraculous nobody got hurt. It was a miracle,” he told the television station.
Police later identified the driver as a 22-year-old Concord man who allegedly showed signs of intoxication following the collision.
The unidentified driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation, according to the Concord Police Department.
Authorities have not publicly released his name or confirmed what additional charges, if any, he may face.
While the diners escaped unharmed, the crash left the businesses facing extensive damage and an uncertain future.
The impact damaged a concrete support pillar measuring approximately 16 inches by 16 inches, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the building.
City officials subsequently ordered the shared dining area closed until repairs can be completed and inspectors determine that the space is safe for customers.
The closure affects not only Chicken Thyme and Kabob Craze but also neighboring Little Thai House, which shares the same dining area.
For Jamshed, the aftermath has brought another difficult challenge. Although no one was hurt, he now faces potentially months of repairs and lost dine-in business while trying to keep his restaurants operating.
Fortunately, the kitchens serving all three restaurants are located in a separate section of the shopping complex and were not forced to close.
That means customers can still support the businesses by ordering takeout or delivery, even while the damaged dining room remains off-limits.
“We’re still open for takeout and DoorDash delivery, but the dining room is closed,” Jamshed explained.
The restaurant owner is now appealing to the community not to abandon the businesses during what could become a lengthy recovery.
He said repairs may take months, although an official reopening date has not been announced.
The crash has also prompted renewed attention to the dangers posed by impaired driving, particularly when vehicles leave the roadway and strike businesses where people have little opportunity to protect themselves.
In this case, the surveillance footage offers a startling reminder of how quickly a routine afternoon can turn into an emergency.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.