Van crashes into restaurant, at least 7 hurt Senate backs new city of Eagle’s Landing

SAVANNAH — Authorities say a van crashed into the kitchen area at the back of a Savannah restaurant injuring at least seven people.

Savannah Police Lt. Torrance Garvin says it happened Friday night. He says the crash into the back of an Outback Steakhouse broke a gas line and caused part of the kitchen ceiling to collapse.

Garvin says seven employees were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Three of them were burned. One person sustained a broken arm and one, a pregnant woman, was hurt when the ceiling collapsed. Details on others injured were not available.

Authorities say the driver, 42-year-old David Lanier, of Rincon, lost consciousness prior to the crash. His condition was not immediately available and it was not immediately known if he will face any charges.

ATLANTA — A portion of Henry County has cleared a hurdle in its controversial quest to form a new city called Eagle’s Landing.

The Georgia Senate has approved two measures that would define new boundaries for the city of Stockbridge, which Eagle’s Landing is being carved from, and provide a charter for the new city.

The proposals passed with most Republicans’ backing, but not without opposition. Democratic Sen. Emanuel Jones, who represents portions of Stockbridge, said he believed residents’ desire to form the new city was racially motivated, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Stockbridge, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Atlanta, is predominantly black, while the newly proposed city of Eagle’s Landing would have a greater proportion of white residents.