Car Crashes Through Naples Restaurant, No Injuries

UPDATE 2:20 p.m. with add that the driver was employed not a resident of the building beside Russo's and further from a neighbor business.

Around 8:25 a.m. this morning, a woman lost control of her vehicle and drove into Russo’s Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar, destroying one whole side of the dining area including the wall, glassware, chairs and tables.

The woman who drove her vehicle into the restaurant was employed at the buildng next door to the restaurant and had parked her Honda in the parking lot flanking the restaurant, according to Vicki Russo, co-owner of the popular neighborhod eatery (formerly called Pasta al Dente).

There was no official word yet on how her car went into the restaurant but witnesses speculated that she hit the gas too hard or the accelerator stuck. LBReport.com got pictures of the car inside the structure and reported that it appeared the Honda was not traveling at significant speed.

Larry Haendiges who owns an investment business and lives around the corner from the restaurant, said that the driver was taken to the hospital just to check her out but did not have apparent injuries. He said she was trying to park when the accident occurred. 

The second wall was also damaged according to Russo.

She said that she received a call earlier this morning from the Long Beach Police Department about the crash. Luckily, no one sustained any injuries, said Russo, who promised that the restaurant may even open tonight.

“Russo’s has been here for 22 years and we just know that we will have support of our clients and customers that we’ve always had. And we’re going to open possibly tonight. Maybe tonight, we will try,” said Russo.