INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A car crashed into Smokehouse BBQ Grill in the 600 block of US 1, resulting in no injuries, but causing damage to the vehicle and the building.
There was an initial gas leak that was quickly contained. The crash happened shortly after 8 a.m.
Executive Chef Dan Tuinman was in the kitchen at the time of the accident, standing approximately 12-feet away from the car contact point.
“I’m very lucky I wasn’t any closer, it sounded like Hiroshima,” Tuinman said.
Tuinman said the car hit the exterior of the kitchen, and pushed several heavy kitchen appliances including a char-broiler away from the wall.
“The driver got right out,” Tuinman said. “He wasn’t hurt, just a little shaken.”
According to authorities, the driver lost control as he was traveling South on US 1. Police are still working on the report, the cost of the damage to Smokehouse is still unknown.
“We will have to shut down today,” said Bill Mills, owner of Smokehouse BBQ Grill. He added that gas would have to be turned back on and equipment inspected before he could comfortably re-open the restaurant.
The incident is contained to the restaurant parking lot and there are no traffic delays on US 1.
This article will be updated when more information becomes available.
