CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A minivan crashed into a Pizza Hut restaurant in Chillicothe on Saturday afternoon, causing damage to the building but no immediate reports of serious injuries, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. at the Pizza Hut located on North Bridge Street. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle veer off the road and strike the front of the restaurant, shattering windows and damaging the exterior wall. The cause of the crash remains unclear, and investigators have not determined whether it was an accident or intentional.
Chillicothe Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. The driver, whose identity has not been released, was evaluated by medics but did not appear to sustain serious injuries. No employees or customers inside the restaurant were reported injured, though several were shaken by the incident.
“It was loud, like a huge bang, and then glass was everywhere,” said Sarah Thompson, a customer who was picking up an order nearby at the time. “Everyone just froze for a second, trying to figure out what happened.”
The Pizza Hut was evacuated as a precaution, and the building was closed pending a structural assessment. Authorities have not released details about the driver’s condition or possible factors contributing to the crash, such as distracted driving, medical issues, or mechanical failure.