BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Bloomfield Township police are investigating after a car tore through a crowded restaurant Thursday afternoon, hospitalizing several people.
The crash happened around 1:40 p.m. at Thai Taste to Go, located at 3955 Telegraph Road.
Witnesses working at a strip mall where the restaurant is located say the driver, who police say is a 77-year-old woman from Bloomfield Township, lost control of her car in the parking lot.
“You could see their car reverse, and it would drive back up, then reverse again, drive up, then reverse one more time, and it went completely through the building,” said Dezyris Bennett.
“We were just in the middle of our lunch rush over there, and we heard a loud boom,” said Aaron Maher. “We all ran out here, we thought it was like a gas explosion or something.”
Bloomfield Township police Chief James Gallagher said five people were injured in the crash and sent to local hospitals, all with non-life-threatening injuries.
One person was treated on scene and released with minor injuries.
Gallagher said the cause of the crash is still under investigation, but he doesn’t expect any criminal charges to be filed against the driver. He said it’s fortunate that no one was more seriously injured.
“It’s unthinkable to be honest with you, with how many people were in the building that it actually struck,” Gallagher said. “The car ended up almost in the kitchen, and there were people standing in the front of that store. I have no explanation as to how no one was seriously injured.”
Gallagher said it’s the second time in two days that a car has gone through a building in Bloomfield Township.
He said earlier this week, a driver in the service drive at the Golling Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership located on Telegraph Road accidentally accelerated into the building, striking several cars inside and minorly injuring one person.
“I think it’s just making sure we’re paying attention, being familiar with the cars we’re driving,” Gallagher said. “Every car has a different way of putting it in park, putting it in drive. We just want people to be careful and familiarize themselves with it first.”
The city is assessing the structural damage to the restaurant. While some businesses in the strip mall reopened Thursday night, Gallagher said others will have to remain closed until repairs can be made.
“It’s sad, it’s a family company,” Bennett said about the restaurant. “Nothing happens in this parking lot, so for any of that to happen like that, it’s crazy, it’s shocking.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam or security video of the crash is asked to contact Bloomfield Township Police at 248-433-7755.