Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Knoxville restaurant crash
2. Woman charged restaurant injury
A Knoxville woman is facing charges after crashing into a restaurant on North Broadway and injuring an employee. The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. on Saturday night, with the driver identified as 25-year-old Baleigh Bates. Police found Bates trying to drive away from the scene with a strong odor of marijuana in her car. She was eventually taken to the hospital for minor injuries and charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident, DUI, possession of marijuana, and failure to exercise due care. The restaurant posted photos of the damage on Facebook and announced it would be closed on May 5 due to the incident.
Woman Charged After Crashing Into Knoxville Restaurant
A Knoxville woman is facing charges after she crashed her car into La Herradura Restaurant on North Broadway, injuring an employee in the process. The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. on a Saturday night, causing chaos and destruction at the popular dining spot.
Police Response and Discovery
Officers from the Knoxville Police Department quickly responded to reports of a hit-and-run involving a vehicle at the restaurant. Upon arrival, they discovered that the driver, identified as 25-year-old Baleigh Bates, had fled the scene but was later found attempting to drive away in her damaged car on Broadway.
Upon closer inspection, officers detected a strong smell of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, and Bates displayed signs of impairment such as slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. A search of the car uncovered approximately 4.5 grams of marijuana, leading to Bates being taken to the hospital for minor injuries and later booked on multiple charges.
Impact on Restaurant Employee
An employee at La Herradura Restaurant recounted the terrifying moment when the car crashed into the building, causing debris to strike his left leg. The force of the impact left a trail of destruction, prompting the closure of the restaurant on May 5th as repairs were underway.
Legal Consequences
Bates now faces a series of charges including failure to stop at the scene of an accident involving injury, driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, and failure to exercise due care while driving. The repercussions of her actions have not only affected the restaurant and its staff but also put her own future at stake.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the potential consequences of reckless behaviour behind the wheel. As the community rallies around the injured employee and the restaurant works to recover from the damage, it is clear that such incidents have far-reaching effects that extend beyond the initial moment of impact.
In a city like Knoxville, where tight-knit communities come together in times of crisis, this incident stands out as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability on the road. Let us all take heed and strive to make our streets safer for everyone.