Tuesday, August 29, 2006
By ANGELA CARBONE
acarbone@repub.com
see pictures of the crash!
WEST SPRINGFIELD - Rein's Deli is cleaning up the king-sized mess created when a car crashed into a section of the deli on Saturday.
The accident occurred around 10:45 a.m. Saturday when a 45-year-old Springfield woman drove her 2005 Ford Escape through the North End rotary, proceeded over a fence, clipped the Rein's New York Style deli sign and crashed through the front of the restaurant, police reported.
Half the vehicle made it through the restaurant wall. Glass was scattered everywhere. A three-door freezer, a five-foot refrigerator and two soda machines were slammed across the floor and into the counter, said Stuart Hurwitz, Rein's Deli owner.
"She (her car) went airborne," Hurwitz said. Police identified the driver as Kem Monroe, of 98 Jardene St., Springfield.
The deli reopened for business at 10:30 yesterday morning after the city's health and building inspectors gave their approval.
Monroe was taken to Baystate Medical Center. She was listed in fair condition yesterday afternoon.
The accident is still under investigation and no charges have been filed, police said yesterday.
Hurwitz said half the car was in the restaurant. "All I can say is, thank God no one was seriously hurt," he said. One of the restaurant workers was at the counter on the telephone when the vehicle crashed through. Fortunately, she stepped back when she heard the noise and was not injured, Hurwitz said.
The deli had to throw away all the food in the freezers and refrigeration case.
The deli hired a company to clean up the mess. Some of the workers were washing down the ceiling because there was Coke all over the ceiling after the cans burst, Hurwitz said. Restaurant workers came in on Sunday night to make everything ready for yesterday's re-opening.
Hurwitz said he has photos of the accident that he intends to put up in the restaurant, now that he knows that no injury was serious. One he intends to title: "The ultimate drive-through restaurant."?