SUV wrecks into restaurant
PENN TWP — A township man suffered unknown injuries after the SUV he was driving crashed into Reichhold's Cafe on Route 8 late Saturday morning.
None of the 50 patrons in the restaurant or any employees were injured.
According to Penn Township police Officer Jack Ripper, the 19-year-old driver reported he “blacked out.”
The driver, David Thinnes of Penn Township, was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital after the crash; however, it was not known if he was taken there for injuries in the wreck or for another reason.
Ripper said this morning he has not spoken to Thinnes, and his investigation continues.
Witnesses said the SUV turned north onto Route 8 from Brownsdale Road, but veered through oncoming traffic in both lanes, striking a utility pole and a mailbox, leaving a trail of debris before crashing into the southwest corner of the brick Reichhold's building at about 9:46 a.m.
“My mother was down in the basement doing some prep work, and a few of my children were down there, too,” said owner Paul Reichhold.
“Thank God they were on the other side of the building.”
Reichhold said the crash “sounded like a bomb exploded.”
The SUV took out a support beam holding up a balcony on the building's south side before crashing through the three-story building's wall, which bowed inward and had a large crack running up to the roof.
The crash also cut power to the restaurant, forcing patrons to leave their meals unfinished.
The South Butler County Technical Rescue Team, which specializes in trench and building collapse rescue, was called to the scene to ensure the building was structurally sound as the front end of the SUV was pulled from beneath its wall.
Calls to the restaurant went unanswered this morning. A damage figure is unavailable.
The restaurant was closed for the remainder of Saturday.
Butler Ambulance, the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department and Middlesex Township police also responded to the scene.
