They couldn't believe it as they were watching it happen. The staff at Pakula's Pizza at 257 S. Little Tor Road in New City got a big scare Tuesday when a car slammed into the front of the restaurant.
The front of the shop was destroyed as a Ford Escape went through and toward the pizza counter, but no one had major injuries, according to Clarkstown Sgt. Nicholas Lafasciano.
"There was a person that exited their car that was brushed by the [Ford Escape]," Lafasciano said, adding that she minor back pain, but nothing serious.
"The driver was OK. She was backing out of the parking spot and had on a medical boot that got stuck on the accelerator," he said. The car then accidentally backed into the pizzeria.
Co-owner Mathhew Weiss and employee Jonathan Rucker were working behind the counter when everything happened.
"I heard a screech, looked out and heard the loudest bang in my life," Weiss said. "The car just flew through the window."
Rucker also agreed and said that the sound was the loudest he had ever heard in his life.
"I was setting up the tables and chairs just 10 minutes earlier," Rucker said. "If that car came just a little earlier I would have been smashed." Both Rucker and Weiss were glad that there were no injuries.
A clean up crew was there to tape off the area and sweep up broken glass as a crowd watched and talked. As the moment passed and Weiss and Rucker's nerves settled, they were in a better mood and even made a few jokes with passerbys.
"So I guess you guys have a drive in Pizzeria now," a man walking by said jokingly.
He got a few laughs out of Weiss and Rucker.
The pizza shop is expected to be closed about a week for repairs.
