April 01--Ten people at The Egg & I were seriously injured Monday when a car crashed into the Las Vegas restaurant, landing on three adults and a child, authorities said.
The four-door, Lexus sedan went airborne before it landed on an outdoor dining patio and smashed through a window of the restaurant, which was packed with lunchtime diners, officials said.
Two men were seen handcuffed on the sidewalk after the crash. One of the men was "sitting there smiling and laughing like nothing happened," said Jean Guillaume, who was walking past the restaurant when the car passed within 10 feet of him.
Metro Police Sgt. Richard Strader said the driver was arrested on counts of felony hit and run and felony reckless driving. Two other people were in the car, but neither was arrested, he said.
Ten people with serious but not life-threatening injuries were taken to University Medical Center and Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue spokesman Tim Szymanski said.
It was not clear how many other people might have been injured.
The crash was reported about 12:35 p.m. at 4533 W. Sahara Ave., between Arville Street and Decatur Boulevard, Metro Police Officer Laura Meltzer said.
People dining outside the restaurant on the patio were hit by the car and some inside may also have been injured, Meltzer said.
Deon Para, who was outside eating at a T.G.I. Friday's restaurant across the street, said he heard the crash and ran over to see if he could help. People were trying to lift the car off of victims, but it was too heavy, he said.
He said he tried to comfort a boy whose grandmother had been knocked unconscious. The boy had blood on him, but did not seem to have any severe injuries, he said.
Police closed West Sahara between Decatur and Arville. Both sides of Sahara, east and west, will be closed until 7 p.m. while Metro Police investigate, Szymanski said.
Sarah Gehringer, general manager of The Egg & I, said the restaurant was packed for lunch at the time of the crash. She said the business would remain closed for at least a couple of days.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was involved in this," Gehringer said.
Las Vegas, NV
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