Restaurant owner jokes about ‘drive-thru’ as car smashes through …

The owner of a popular restaurant in south Essex has seen the funny side of an unfortunate incident after a car smashed into the wall of his business and caused extensive damage. Pictures shared with EssexLive showed the vehicle as having been taped off by police in the early hours of this morning (October 5).

Gino's Taverna, on King Street in Stanford-le-Hope, has been left seriously damaged after a collision between the building and the black vehicle. The front of the vehicle crashed through the structure's exterior wall, according to pictures, and smashed one of the windows.

Despite the serious damage caused to the restaurant, its owner has seemingly seen the funnier side. He captioned an image of the damage with: "Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase drive through!!!!".

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service issued a statement adding: "We were called to a road traffic collision in King Street today at 3.53am. A crew from Corringham attended. No-one was trapped and they made the scene safe by 4.20am, leaving it in the care of Essex Police."

A spokesperson for Essex Police added: "We were called shortly before 3.40am today (Thursday, October 5) to reports a vehicle had been in collision with a building in King Street, Stanford-le-Hope.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taking a vehicle without consent. He was taken to hospital but is now in custody."

References

1. ^{^} The once struggling pub which was taken over by regulars and turned into a successful business (www.essexlive.news)
2. ^{^} The Essex restaurant tucked by the side of the A120 now run by former head chef (www.essexlive.news)