12 injured after car hits Reynoldsburg restaurant

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio ( WCMH ) — A dozen people were injured after a car drove into a restaurant in Reynoldsburg Sunday evening.

According to Reynoldsburg police dispatcher, the car drove into an O’Charley’s restaurant on the 2200 block of Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Road at approximately 6:30 p.m.

According to Violet Township Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Birdwell, 12 people in total were injured, with eight being transported to the hospital by ambulance. Four others took themselves to a nearby hospital.

Watch: Car drives into Reynoldsburg restaurant

Birdwell said some of those injured were considered “traumas,” but he didn’t have an exact number. All of those injured had non-life-threatening injuries, which included bruises and bandaged-covered arms and legs.

Witnesses said customers were seated at tables directly on the other side of where the car went into the building. Police did not say what led to the crash.

Witnesses said that after the crash, a man, estimated to be between 60 and 70 years old, got out of the vehicle and appeared to be alert and okay. It is currently unkonwn if he will be charged.

Photos from the scene show the car drove into the “to go” area of the restaurant. At approximately 7:30 p.m., the car was removed from the building.

The restaurant didn’t sustain any structural damage since the car drove through glass doors, Birdwell said, adding that the restaurant would likely be closed for some time.

Clint Lautenschleger, COO of the restaurant chain, issued the following statement Sunday evening:

“On Sunday evening at approximately 6:30 p.m. a guest crashed into the O’Charley’s Restaurant located at 2272 Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Road. Thirteen people were transported to the hospital, though we are grateful to say, none with life threatening injuries. The restaurant has been closed and will remain closed until we can fully assess and address the damage. We are incredibly thankful for the first responders who were on the scene quickly and our associates who handled themselves admirably in the situation. We will continue to cooperate with local authorities as they investigate and determine next steps.”

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