Yesterday, September 17, 2024 around 9:30 a.m. a vehicle crashed into Andrea’s Family Restaurant in Winter Haven.
Niko Lambridis, owner of the restaurant said he was standing in the dining room when he noticed outside a car accelerating close to the building. There were two occupants of the vehicle and what they think happened was the woman driving hit the throttle by accident instead of the brakes, causing the car to accelerate and crash through the sidewall.
There are arches on the side of the restaurant and Lambridis said that the car took three poles out and the air conditioner landed on top of the car.
“It’s amazing she wasn’t hurt,” he said.
All occupants inside the restaurant and the driver and passenger of the vehicle were uninjured.
The 90-year-old passenger (driver’s mother) of the vehicle was in great spirits despite the crash and was more worried about the restaurant.
Lambridis said that this is not the first time this has happened. He said about 25 years ago a lady did the same thing and ran into the wall of his restaurant.
Despite the crash, the restaurant remained open and the inside was not affected.
Andrea’s Family Restaurant is located at 1498 Havendale Blvd NW in Winter Haven.
Let’s take this as an opportunity to show our local businesses some love and stop by for a meal if you are in the area. Business has been slow, so they would certainly appreciate your support.
