A 93-year-old driver allegedly hit the accelerator instead of the brake while trying to park outside a popular Jersey Shore restaurant, sending her SUV crashing through an outdoor dining area and killing the wife of a local fire chief.
The terrifying crash happened around 11:12 a.m. Saturday at Meg’s Grill in Lavallette, New Jersey, as customers were gathered for breakfast and brunch. Police said the woman was attempting to park her 2014 Buick Encore in front of the restaurant when the vehicle suddenly accelerated.
The Buick jumped into the outdoor dining area before crashing into the building, according to police.
Seven restaurant patrons were injured and taken to hospitals with varying injuries. The 93-year-old driver, who is from Lavallette, suffered minor injuries.
One diner, 56-year-old Ursula Keating of Toms River, suffered fatal injuries.
Authorities initially withheld her identity, but Lavallette Police Chief Christian LaCicero later confirmed that Keating was the woman killed in the crash. She was the wife of Silverton Volunteer Fire Company Chief John Keating Jr.
The tragedy has hit the local first-responder community especially hard.
John Keating has spent years in fire and emergency service, and friends and fellow firefighters began rallying around the family Sunday. Local reports said the couple had celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year.
Meg’s Grill closed Sunday and Monday following the crash.
“Our building is fine and was undamaged. But I can’t say the same for our hearts,” the restaurant said in a social media statement after the tragedy.
The business said its thoughts were with the victims and their families and urged customers to “give an enormous hug to your loved ones tonight.”
By Sunday, the restaurant’s damaged frontage had been boarded up as members of the community stopped by to leave flowers and offer support. Meg’s Grill also posted condolences directly to the Keating family.
The restaurant’s website lists the longtime breakfast spot on Grand Central Avenue in Lavallette, a small Ocean County beach community along the Jersey Shore.
The force of the crash also damaged the area around the neighboring business, while a large emergency response descended on the scene.
Responding agencies reportedly included Lavallette police, firefighters and first aid crews, along with personnel from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Toms River Police Department and several neighboring fire and EMS agencies.
Police have not publicly identified the 93-year-old driver.
As of Sunday evening, authorities had not announced any criminal charges, and the investigation into the deadly crash remained ongoing.
Meg’s Grill said it planned to reopen Tuesday unless circumstances changed.
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