Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Allegedly Drunk Driver Careens Into Taste of Thai

Police say a 23-year-old woman drove drunk through Taste of Thai at 10:30 p.m. Friday; the restaurant is shut down due to damage for the time being.

A 23-year-old Ridgewood woman driving a silver Saab slammed into at approximately 10:30 p.m., spraying glass and debris into the restaurant.

No one inside the building – which was closed – was injured, but the driver, Elyse Lanzner, suffered a small hand laceration, and was treated at the scene.

Witnesses said Lanzner was headed south on Broad Street, when she attempted to turn around – presumably in a driveway a few feet further down the road – but instead sped over the curb and through the windows and door of the restaurant.

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Witnesses said she then backed out and drove about 100 hundred feet down the street with the front bumper of her car scraping against the pavement.

The Grandview Circle resident stopped the car near and police arrived moments later, witnesses said.

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Police confirmed Friday morning that the 23-year-old was charged with a DWI and will face a date in municipal court.

Building Inspector Anthony Merloni said it's difficult to determine the extent of the damage until officials have a chance to inspect the structure more closely.

Glass and debris littered the sidewalk and street beyond even the police tape, and a tarp was used to cover the windows.

Unfortunately, Merlino said, there's no way the building will be able to re-open Friday. When it opens depends on the extent of damage and if a temporary fix is possible, he said.

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