Car crashes Evergreen Park restaurant’s grand opening
BY SUSAN DEMAR LAFFERTY Sun-Times Media November 20, 2012 9:18AM
A board-up crew works on the front of Famous Dave's, 95th Street and Francisco Avenue, Evergreen Park, after a car drove though the front of the store on opening day. | Larry Ruehl~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 21, 2012 6:29AM
Opening day at Famous Dave’s newest restaurant in Evergreen Park went off with a bang . . . and a crash and a boom.
A car went through the front windows Monday afternoon, just four hours after the restaurant opened at 2851 W. 95th St.
The female driver — who had been parked in front of the restaurant — crashed into the only empty booth, missing a family that was sitting “inches away,” said Brett Larrabee, Famous Dave’s director of franchise, sales and development. She apparently hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, he said.
“We are very grateful there were no serious injuries,” said Larrabee, who was on the scene when the accident occurred at 3 p.m.
He said the driver and another woman, a customer, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Evergreen Park police did not immediately say whether the driver would be cited.
Crews were busy cleaning up early Monday evening. Larrabee hoped the store could reopen Tuesday, or at the latest, Wednesday.
Larrabee said he heard a “huge boom” but didn’t immediately know what it was.
“I saw the car. It was almost like being in a movie. It was so surreal,” he said. “It’s not every day you watch a car roll into a restaurant.”
He said he immediately began looking for anyone who may have been hurt, and helped the driver get out of her Honda Accord.
“She was so upset,” he said.
