Crime & Safety

SUV Drives Into Fair Lawn Restaurant In 'Terrifying' Crash: Witness

A 41-year-old customer and 35-year-old male employee were hospitalized after the Green Dragon Asian Cuisine crash, officials said.

A 41-year-old customer and 35-year-old male employee were hospitalized after the Green Dragon Asian Cuisine crash, officials said.
A 41-year-old customer and 35-year-old male employee were hospitalized after the Green Dragon Asian Cuisine crash, officials said. (Fair Lawn Police Department)

FAIR LAWN, NJ — A Chinese restaurant diner says he witnessed a miracle when he saw patrons leap out of the way of an SUV that crashed through the window and landed in the Fair Lawn restaurant Sunday.

"Absolutely terrifying," patron Justin Portelli said on Facebook.

An 82-year-old Elmwood Park woman careened into the Green Dragon Asian Cuisine, and drive right up next to Portelli's table, he said.

Find out what's happening in Fair Lawn-Saddle Brookfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Ford Escape "took off on her," jumped the curb, and hit two posts just before she crashed through the windows of the dining room, Fair Lawn police Sgt. Brian Metzler said Tuesday.

A 41-year-old male customer and 35-year-old male employee, both of Fair Lawn, were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries after being struck by flying debris, Metzler said.

Find out what's happening in Fair Lawn-Saddle Brookfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The building sustained minor structural damage that the restaurant owner was able to address, police said.

The crash is still under investigation.

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