Driver Cited for Speeding after Plowing into Mama Leone's

NEWPORT, RI—The owner of Newport's popular Mama Leone's restaurant is still in a state of shock Saturday afternoon after a car smashed into the front of her building overnight.

Paulina Reves said that "the place is just a mess" and "we're trying to get our heads around this."

Reves was forced to close the restaurant for several days to clean up and repair the damage. Meanwhile her employees are out of work for the time being and coolers full of product is at risk.

The goal, she said, is to open as soon as possible, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday.

"I have staff here," she said. "We have to get open so they can keep their jobs."

Reves said she got the call between 1 or 2 a.m. telling her that a car smashed into the building.

"My first reaction was thank God nobody got hurt," she said.

She checked the surveillance video and saw the car go right through the front doors.

Newport police Captain Peter Calo said the driver of the BMW that plowed into the building, James Bell, 33, of Jacksonville, FL, was on his way to Newport Naval Base when he lost control of his car on JT Connell Highway just before 1:30 a.m.

Police said Bell was speeding before the crash and is not familiar with the area, which might explain how he failed to navigate the rotary and ended up in the building.

Bell was not seriously hurt in the crash, but he did suffer a cut to the face when the airbag deployed, Calo said.

Bell was cited for speeding and failure to maintain proper control of his vehicle.

Mama Leone's has been a Newport fixture for years. Along with being a popular spot to order pizza and take-out items, the restaurant has a full dinner menu with pasta, insalata, grinders and appetizers. 

The restaurant will likely announce when they plan on opening back up on their Facebook page.

Photo courtesy: Melina Abney, Hovering Crow Photo