'Everybody is OK' after pickup slams into roadside restaurant
It was not a typical morning at Country Sisters Restaurant and Bakery in Moorefield, Ont., east of Listowel.
“My sister looked out front and said to me, ‘There’s a pickup truck in our dining room,’” said Country Sisters co-owner, Carol Wideman.
About 10 minutes before the restaurant was about to open at 7 a.m., a pickup truck travelling eastbound on Highway 86 left the roadway and drove across a planted field before slamming into the side of Country Sisters Restaurant, punching a truck-sized hole in the side of the building.
“Usually we’ve got the girls out here getting things ready for people to sit down and have breakfast or lunch. We’re so glad we hadn’t got that far yet,” said Wideman.
Damage to Country Sisters Restaurant and Bakery after being hit by a truck on May 18, 2022. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) (Dan Lauckner/CTV News Kitchener)Although there were five staff members in the restaurant at the time of the collision, no one — other than the 41-year-old male driver from Palmerston, Ont. — was injured. He only suffered a few cuts and bruises, and was quickly released from hospital.
Sarah, a close friend of the driver who hit the building, tells CTV News he told her he suffered a seizure, which is what led to the crash. She says the driver didn’t have a licence for awhile due to his epilepsy, but had been episode-free for five years, until Wednesday.
Police say they’re still investigating what led to the crash.
“For a moment, it was touch and go. Initially, it sounded very, very serious. Luckily it’s not as bad as we thought initially. But, we’re still trying to determine the cause,” said Wellington OPP Const. Joshua Cunningham.
OPP are investigating after a vehicle struck a building in Mapleton on May 18, 2022. (Source: OPP)As serious as a truck slamming into your restaurant is, this isn’t even the worst thing to happen to Country Sisters Restaurant in the past couple years. The restaurant burnt to the ground on March 29, 2020, and was just recently rebuilt and re-opened.
“These poor people have gone through enough. They had a fire a couple of years ago, and it just re-opened a few weeks ago. So now, they have this. It’s just really unfortunate,” said Dolores Byrne, a regular customer who drove from Mount Forest, Ont. this morning to examine the damage.
Country Sisters owners say they’ll get the damage fixed and expect to be open again as soon as possible.
“We can fix it, and hopefully go on again. Everybody is OK. We’re just so thankful for that,” said Wideman.
— With files from CTV News Kitchener
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.