USA20 September, 20262 min read
93-Year-Old Driver Crashes Buick Encore Into Meg’s Grill In Lavallette, Killing 1
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A 56-year-old Toms River woman died when a 93-year-old driver crashed into Meg’s Grill patio. Seven others were injured in the Jersey Shore crash.
Crash at Meg’s Grill
A 93-year-old woman crashed a 2014 Buick Encore into the outdoor dining area of Meg’s Grill in Lavallette, New Jersey, killing a 56-year-old woman from Toms River and injuring seven others on Saturday. Police said the driver placed her foot on the accelerator rather than the brake, causing the SUV to rapidly accelerate into the outdoor dining area and then into the building.
The crash happened at 11:12 a.m. at 1401 Grand Central Avenue in Lavallette, Ocean County, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. The 6abc Philadelphia report said the SUV slammed into tables outside Meg's Grill on the 1400 block of Grand Central Avenue, and that seven other people were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Police account and identities
Investigators said the driver was trying to park in front of the restaurant when she pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, sending the vehicle into the patio area and then into the building, the Independent reported. The Independent also said the Lavallette Police Department had not publicly identified the driver or shared the names of any of the victims, and that none of the staff working at Meg’s Grill were injured.
Patch reported that the 56-year-old woman who died was not identified Saturday, and that the driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries. News12 Philadelphia said the 93-year-old driver was from Lavallette and suffered minor injuries, while the seven injured patrons were transported to the hospital with various injuries.
Restaurant closure and response
Patch reported that Meg's Grill will be closed Sunday and Monday, quoting the owner’s Facebook message that "Our building is fine and was undamaged. But I can’t say the same for our hearts."
“We plan to reopen Tuesday. If anything changes we will update.”
The Independent similarly quoted the restaurant saying, "We plan to reopen Tuesday. If anything changes we will update," after the crash at Meg’s Grill.
Patch also said the crash was reported at 11:12 a.m. at Meg's Grill at 1401 Grand Central Ave., and that Lavallette police, the fire department, Lavallette First Aid and the borough's building department responded.
Shorebeat said the crash brought emergency crews from across northern Ocean County into the small barrier-island community, and listed responses including the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Toms River Police Department and EMS, and Tri-Boro EMS.