One brunch patron is dead and seven others are in the hospital after a 93-year-old driver lost control of her vehicle and slammed into the outdoor seating area of Meg’s Grill in Lavallette, New Jersey. The collision happened shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, shattering the quiet morning routine of the local establishment.
The victim, identified as a 56-year-old woman from Toms River, died at the scene. The driver, who sustained only minor injuries, reportedly intended to park but accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake pedal. Her Buick Encore tore through the dining area before slamming into the restaurant’s main structure.
Seven other customers were rushed to local hospitals; their conditions remain undisclosed. Staff members were unharmed, though the force of the impact also battered the façade of a neighboring liquor store. Meg’s Grill announced it will stay shut through Sunday and Monday to allow for repairs and to support the affected community.
In a Facebook statement, the restaurant urged customers to "give an enormous hug to your loved ones tonight." Local police have begun their investigation into the exact mechanics of the crash and the driver’s condition in the moments leading up to the collision.