Neither victim was seriously hurt in the crash.
Two patrons were struck by a vehicle when it crashed into a French Quarter restaurant early Saturday morning (Dec. 16).
Liddy Helmus, 23, and Joe Plourde, 24, said they were sitting at a table in Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria on North Peters Street shortly before 2 a.m. when a vehicle crashed through the window, hitting them both.
Helmus said there was no warning.
«All of a sudden, we were on the floor,» Helmus said. «My first thought when I got up was that there was an earthquake.»
Neither Helmus nor Plourde sustained serious injuries, they said, and both were treated by EMS on the scene.
The driver came into the restaurant and apologized to them, Helmus said. New Orleans Police responded to the crash, but it was not immediately known if citations were issued or if anyone was taken into custody.
Plourde said the driver and passenger could be seen laughing in the car after the crash. «Neither of them seemed to take it very seriously. They were laughing like it was no big deal,» Plourde said.
Jason Fibble, the general manager of the restaurant, said the building sustained minor damage but was able to open up as normal Saturday.
«I’m just relieved everyone is safe,» Fibble said.
The vehicle crashed into the building after it «clipped another car,» on North Peters Street, Fibble said.
The crash happened shortly before the restaurant closed for the night, and there were not many people in the building at the time, according to Fibble.
Helmus and Plourde said they are regulars at Felipe’s, calling the restaurant one of their favorites.
«We really appreciate how the employees handled the situation,» Helmus said. «It was late and I’m sure they wanted to get home, but they were kind and didn’t try to rush us at all.»
Both Plourde and Helmus said the crash will not keep them from eating at Felipe’s, but they may avoid that particular location, Helmus said.
«It was a very traumatic experience,» Helmus said. «I’m shaking now just thinking about it.»
