Driver crashes car into coffee shop
Occupants of vehicle unhurt, while drunken driving case opened
Acase of reckless and negligent driving including drunken driving was opened against a 32-year-old man who drove into Komani’s popular coffee shop, Roche House, on Friday night, police have confirmed.
One of the owners, Johan Reynders, said two guests who had booked accommodation in one of the rooms at the adjacent guest house had heard the sounds of a huge crash and informed the owners.
“When we got here at about 10.30pm, we saw that the VW Polo which had four male passengers had hit the wall.
“The passengers were apparently under the influence, but there were no serious injuries. They were taken away by the police,” he said.
The vehicle had reportedly driven over the bridge near Frontier Hospital on Kingsway, and it is believed the driver failed to stop at the T-junction, crashing into the coffee shop building.
Reynders could not estimate the damage caused by the crash, but said the whole façade of the building had been damaged and would have to be fixed.
He said there had been damage to two items of furniture.
With the coffee shop having existed for 14 years, Reynders said a similar incident last took place in the 1980s when the building was used as an office.
“We always hope it will never happen, but people are reckless and often do not stop at this junction.”
Reynders commended a security guard from Red Guard for his assistance.
“He was absolutely amazing. Instead of being just a security guy and keeping an eye, he helped us clean.
“He helped us get ourselves organised so we could carry on and trade in the morning.”