SUV Crashes Into Manchester Restaurant

Two Manchester residents were arrested after a SUV crashed through the front doors of Manchester's early Thursday morning.

The crash caused extensive damage to the business located at 631 Big Bend Rd. It is now closed while it is cleaned up and repaired.

According to Manchester police, the SUV ran through the front door of the restaurant around 3:45 a.m. Thursday.

"Thank goodness it happened in the morning when we had no guests in the building, and no one was hurt," Lazy Grill owner John Marciano told Town and Country-Manchester Patch.

Police said the driver and a passenger ran away after the crash, so when officers arrived on the scene, the SUV was empty. The suspected driver and passenger were found and arrested shortly after.

The accident remains under investigation as police try to determine why the Jeep came down the parking lot and plowed into the building.

Manchester police say the driver and the passenger were not injured. Their names are not being released at this time.

The vehicle was almost completely inside the building. Marciano said that fortunately, the car only crashed through two double doors and did not do any structural damage to the building.

"So it's basically cleaning and redecorating," Marciano said.

Marciano said he hopes to have the restaurant reopened by Monday, Aug. 15. He is not sure yet of the cost of the damage or how much it will cost his business to close for more than a week.

"I really couldn't tell you. I don't know how it's going to impact us at all," Marciano said.

Marciano said the Lazy River Grill has been open for 12 years. He has contacted anyone who had upcoming reservations at the restaurant and will accommodate them at his other restaurant,  located at 165 Lamp and Lantern Village.  

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