Multiple patrons injured when car slams into Harrisburg restaurant, police say
Multiple customers were hospitalized after a car drove through the front of a busy restaurant during the supper rush, Harrisburg police say.
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It happened around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday at Vortex Bottle Shop on School House Commons, and at least four patrons were hurt, officials said.
“During dinner service last night, a vehicle struck the front window of our store,” the shop wrote in an Aug. 14 Facebook post.
“Based on what we know at this time, the injuries do not appear to be serious. Our thoughts are with everyone involved, and we’re incredibly grateful to first responders who arrived quickly.”
Town officials say the car caused structural damage to the front entrance wall and surrounding glass.
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The cause of the crash has not been released, but “the incident was unintentional,” police say. The identity of the driver has not been released.
“The Town of Harrisburg recognizes that Vortex Bottle Shop is a cherished neighborhood destination and an integral part of the Harrisburg business community,” town officials said. “Harrisburg stands behind its small businesses, and the Town is committed to supporting Vortex throughout the rebuilding process. Vortex Bottle Shop has safely reopened for business since the incident.”
Witnesses to the crash shared support for the shop on social media.
“The staff was amazing in a pretty traumatic situation,” Wendi Muhonen posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “It was scary and upsetting, but could have been so much worse.”
“It was comforting in the initial chaos to watch how well the staff managed a car in their restaurant!” Lisa Lenhardt Thornton wrote.
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Harrisburg is about a 20-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.
