LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It was a close call after a driver smashed his car into a La Vergne restaurant Tuesday afternoon.
Much of the MexiChina restaurant is now destroyed, but owners say it's a miracle no one was hurt.
"I immediately started crying because I saw everything destroyed," said owner Yara Mendoza. "It's just sadness and at the same time very grateful that everyone's OK."
Thankfully, there were no customers or employees in the main room, and her family members — who were sitting at the back of the restaurant just feet away from where the car ended up — were OK.
"In my head, I think it's like coming towards us, and I think it's all over," remembered Yara's son, Kenny Hernandez. "It was 3:30. Somebody could've walked in, ordered fried rice or a lo mein and sat down and ate, and their life could've been taken away."
La Vergne officials said a police report is still being finalized, but that the driver was pulling in to get food and crashed for an unknown reason.
"We're gonna start from zero and I hope — because I know we have a lot of clients that love this place —I just hope to see them back," she said.
The family said their other business, Mexichina Express, is still up and running in Murfreesboro.
If you want to help them or their employees who are currently out of work, you can call the restaurant.
In the meantime, we're working to get answers on how and why the driver caused the crash.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at nikki.hauser@newschannel5.com.
Journalism is at its best when we can shine a light on an issue that needs more attention. Once again, Hannah McDonald does this beautifully by highlighting the hardships of teens aging out of the foster care system. I learned something new in her reporting and am inspired by the work I AM NEXT is doing to make a difference. I think you will be too!
-Carrie Sharp
