Crash and Splash: When Cars Collide with Seafood Restaurants
By Tyler Patel
November 8, 2023
The Infiniti sedan that slammed into the restaurant (Photo credit: Santa Maria Times)
According to KSBY News, “On the afternoon of October 23rd at exactly 4:10 p.m. in the 1400 block of E. Grand Avenue, numerous witnesses made calls about a building collision.” Soon, the police investigated a two-vehicle crash that caused one of the vehicles to collide with the building of Francisco’s Country Kitchen. The driver of an Infiniti exited southbound Highway 101 at Brisco Road at an uncontrollable speed and was unable to complete the turn safely due to the collision causing the front right tires to rotate, authorities said. One of the drivers was reported injured and rushed to the hospital, on the other hand, the driver that crashed into the building was “evaluated at the scene by first responders but reportedly declined a trip to the hospital.”
The Santa Maria Times states that, “Five Cities Fire Authority crews responded about 4:07 a.m. to a report of an automobile into a business at 775 El Camino Real.” When investigators arrived, they found no traces of intoxication or impairment between the two drivers. Peter Klein, spokesman for the Five Cites Fire Authority announced that “The brick façade and large plate glass window were destroyed upon impact, and a large amount of debris and damage were caused inside the restaurant extending through the dining booths lining the wall and damaging areas of the counter,” he said. “Leaking fuel and fluids from the damaged car were mixed with condiments from the restaurant.”
As of recently, Klein stated, “firefighters cordoned off the area, which had broken glass from the large plate glass window, brick and mortar fragments.” It was noted that the crash came about two hours before the restaurant was scheduled to open, and fortunately the building was empty at the time. The Santa Maria Times stated, “head waitress Candi Aclin, a 22-year-employee, arrived about 5 a.m. and began calling coworkers scheduled to work Saturday morning to advise them of the accident.” Luckily, nobody was hurt and the restaurant’s broken windows were boarded up later Saturday. The owners are hoping to open at least half of the restaurant within a few days.
Works Cited
“Vehicle Slams into Arroyo Grande Restaurant.” Santa Maria Times, 6 Oct. 2013, santamariatimes.com/news/local/vehicle-slams-into-arroyo-grande-restaurant/article_c3f14456-2e51-11e3-88bd-001a4bcf887a.html.
Worsham, Katherine. “Crash Sends Vehicle into Arroyo Grande Seafood Restaurant.” KSBY News, 23 Oct. 2023,