One Dead, Seven Injured in Lavallette Restaurant Crash
One Dead, Seven Injured in Lavallette Restaurant Crash
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Key Points
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Police said the crash occurred at approximately 11:12 a.m. while the 93-year-old driver was maneuvering a 2014 Buick Encore into a parking space on Grand Central Avenue.
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The restaurant is located across Route 35 from the Lavallette Police Department, and the crash temporarily disrupted traffic on Grand Central Avenue, which carries the highway through the borough.
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The adjacent liquor store sustained substantial exterior-wall damage, even though Meg’s Grill itself was described as undamaged or not significantly damaged.
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Two injured people were reportedly airlifted to local hospitals, including one with life-threatening injuries; another report described the victims’ injuries as varied, with their precise conditions otherwise unclear.
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Meg’s Grill said it planned to reopen Tuesday after closing Sunday and Monday, and praised bystanders and first responders who immediately helped after the impact.
A 93-year-old driver from Lavallette, New Jersey, apparently mistook the accelerator for the brake while parking Saturday morning, sending her 2014 Buick Encore through the outdoor dining area of Meg's Grill and into the building. PIX11 reported that the crash killed one woman and injured seven others. The driver, who sustained minor injuries, was attempting to maneuver into a parking space on Grand Central Avenue around 11:12 a.m. during the busy weekend brunch.
A 56-year-old woman from Toms River died in the crash, while seven diners were rushed to hospitals with varying injuries, including at least two who were airlifted SILIVE reported. Emergency responders from Lavallette and surrounding Ocean County communities raced to the scene. Restaurant employees escaped unharmed, and USA Herald noted the building sustained minimal damage, though an adjacent liquor store's exterior was significantly damaged.
How a Parking Maneuver Turned Deadly
The 93-year-old Lavallette resident was attempting a routine parking task when the tragedy unfolded. ABC7NY reported she hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, causing the Buick Encore to accelerate suddenly. The SUV plowed through the outdoor seating area where diners were eating their Saturday brunch, then continued into the restaurant building itself.
The crash occurred at approximately 11:12 a.m. on Grand Central Avenue, which carries Route 35 through the borough. SILIVE noted the collision happened near the Lavallette Police Department, located across the highway. The impact temporarily disrupted traffic on this main thoroughfare while emergency crews worked the scene.
Casualties and Injuries Span Multiple Hospitals
One woman—a 56-year-old from Toms River—was killed in the crash. PIX11 reported that seven diners suffered injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Two victims required emergency airlifts to local hospitals, with at least one experiencing life-threatening injuries.
All of the injured diners were transported for medical care as emergency responders worked rapidly at the scene. The 93-year-old driver who caused the crash sustained only minor injuries. Restaurant staff working inside Meg's Grill at the time escaped without harm.
Restaurant Honors Victims With Two-Day Closure
Meg's Grill announced it would close Sunday and Monday out of respect for those affected and to allow employees time to process the tragedy. The restaurant planned to reopen Tuesday morning. The establishment praised the bystanders and first responders who rushed to help immediately after the crash.
While Meg's Grill itself sustained little to no significant structural damage, the adjacent liquor store's exterior wall sustained substantial damage from the impact. Authorities continued their investigation into the crash as of the report's filing. The incident highlighted the dangers of pedal confusion among older drivers, a well-documented phenomenon in motor vehicle accidents.
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