VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Three employees of a Virginia Beach sushi bar were hurt, according to its manager, when a work truck crashed through the restaurant Monday afternoon.
Watch: Video shows moment work truck crashes through Virginia Beach sushi bar
Sakura in Red Mill Commons is closed Tuesday as the business deals with the aftermath of the crash. While damage to the restaurant's exterior is visible from outside, manager Xiu Lin shared video with News 3 also showing the inside: the floor is covered in wall tiles and debris.
However, Lin's primary concern is Sakura's employees. She says of the three who were hurt, one is still in the hospital but is expected to be released Wednesday
Lin added that when the crash happened, there were about 20 to 25 people inside the restaurant.
It's unclear how the crash happened, but VBFD says it involved a truck towing a small Bobcat machine around 2 p.m. Fire crews say the operation was considered a technical rescue since they had to free the driver from the truck.
The driver of the truck had minor injuries, but did not want to be taken to the hospital, VBFD says.
News 3 reached out to DeForest Tree Service, the company that owns the truck, to inquire about the driver's condition.
"We spoke with him today, he's doing good," Stacey DeForest said.
DeForest's son owns the company but was out of town at the time of the incident.
She said what she knew happened so far was that their employee was suffering from heat exhaustion.
"He was driving up and turning into the area, he turned into the parking lot, and he just passed out," DeForest said. " His foot was on the gas, and he went right through the building."
DeForest said they have insurance to cover the damage and expressed her apologies to the restaurant, its staff, and its customers.
Lin said they are still waiting to learn the full extent of the damages but will make an update on social media once they know when they can reopen.
