TAMPA, Fla. — An SUV crashed into a Carrollwood restaurant Tuesday afternoon after the driver tried to avoid another vehicle in a shopping plaza, according to witnesses.
Tampa Bay 28 I-Team Investigator Katie LaGrone was on the scene on Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened around 2:15 p.m.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said a white 2013 Ford Expedition smashed through a restaurant at the Village Center Shopping Plaza at 13134 N. Dale Mabry Highway.
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Noi Vongsa, manager of Plate Tapas Grill & Lounge, said he was in the kitchen area when it happened. He said no customers were injured. He said the SUV crashed into a booth and several tables.
"We were sitting all the way in the back, I ran out through the dining room area, see a car in the dining room area. Smoke was everywhere. It was crazy," said Vongsa.
The driver suffered minor injuries, and no one inside the restaurant was hurt.
"I saw the driver hop out of the car. He was walking and I was just making sure he was good. He wasn't hurt as bad," said Vongsa.
According to Plate Tapas Grill & Lounge's manager and witnesses at the scene, the SUV entered Plates restaurant after the driver attempted to dodge another vehicle that was backing out of a parking space.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has not released details about the circumstances leading up to the crash. The sheriff's office only said the driver lost control and deputies did not observe any signs of impairment.
The manager of Plate told LaGrone he was working in the kitchen when he heard what sounded like an explosion, then ran into the dining room and found a vehicle inside the restaurant.
"We just heard a real loud noise like you thought something exploded," he said.
The manager said he typically takes a break around 3:00 p.m. and usually sits in the booth closest to the windows. He feels fortunate he was not injured and his staff is also safe.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said the Ford Expedition struck three other vehicles in the parking lot.
An engineer must inspect the building before the restaurant can reopen, according to the manager.
"Just grateful no one's hurt. Thank God for that," said Vongsa.
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