CHICAGO (WLS) – Six outdoor diners were injured when a car skipped a curb and crashed into a Near North Side restaurant Friday night, Chicago firefighters said.
“It was shocking, but I’m very happy with how everyone handled the situation in the best way possible,” said Jeffrey Magee, Uproar’s deputy general manager.
Uproar’s customer service came in second this Saturday evening because Magee said he wants to make sure his employees are well cared for.
“We brought in a claims advisor to talk to our staff,” Magee added. “I want our staff to feel that this place is a home. This is our mantra, like many places. We are a family. But we really work as a family.”
According to Chicago police, it happened around 10:30 p.m. when the driver of the silver Lexus sedan was trying to pass a Toyota Prius heading south on the 1200 block of North Wells Street.
The Lexus cut the Toyota, lost control, jumped the curb and entered the sidewalk before crashing into the restaurant, CPD said.
The video of the scene shows the vehicle crashing into the outer courtyard and the main door of Uproar.
Four patrons and two employees were placed on bunk beds and taken to hospital.
Police said two women had their legs broken when the front door of the business was smashed.
“We saw all our staff running out, doing what they had to do to pick someone up, help someone on the ground,” Magee said.
Everyone is expected to be well.
Firefighters said the driver of the car fled.
“I immediately got in my car and chased them! They ran through the park. I drove through the park,” a witness said.
While an open sign is facing the damage left, even in the building next door, the owners said they are now raising funds to support victims who are left with physical and emotional damage.
We will be open today to raise money and support the injured last night. If you are unable to join us in person to support, consider making a donation to the gofundme account we created for accident victims pic.twitter.com/iz2ntyBWkY
– UproarChi (@UproarChi) July 9, 2022
“Just to know that the place is loved and our staff is loved, our staff is loved and everyone is really worried. I think it doesn’t fix injuries, but it definitely fixes mental health a little bit,” Magee said.
In just one day, fundraising has already surpassed $ 23,000.
Police tell us the driver of the Prius was not injured while still searching for the suspect.
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