Car crashes into Padrino's Cuban Cuisine

No injuries reported at Hallandale Beach restaurant

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A car crashed into a Hallandale Beach restaurant Wednesday.

The crash occurred at Padrino's Cuban Cuisine, 2500 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd.

Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue said the driver accidentally stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake.

Patricia Twohie, who was having lunch at the restaurant, said she was walking back from the bathroom when the crash occurred.

"All of a sudden the car came crashing in and we just got so startled," she told Local 10 News.

Bruce Byrd was at a store next to the restaurant at the time of the crash. He saw the car almost all the way inside the restaurant and the driver still sitting in the car.

"She described to the paramedics (that) she didn't know what happened," Byrd told Local 10.

The woman, who is a regular at the restaurant, wasn't hurt. She later left with family.

"I need to find out exactly what happened," owner Mario Padrino said. "I don't know the details."

No patrons were injured, but Padrino said the car came close to four patrons sitting at two different tables. 

"It's worse than what I thought it was going to be," Padrino said.

The restaurant, open since 1983, has had three similar incidents in the past.

"Unfortunately, this happened before," Padrino said. "We tried to do things to stop it."

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