Truck Crashes Into Centennial Restaurant

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- A pickup crashed into a restaurant in Centennial early Thursday morning causing a lot of damage. The driver was taken to the hospital.

Investigators with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office believe the driver lost control when she was traveling north on University Blvd. about 2:15 a.m. Thursday.

Her vehicle hopped the median and kept going across the parking lot and into the El Senor Sol restaurant located at 6651 S. University Blvd.

The crash took out a pillar and the corner of the restaurant where the kitchen was located. All the industrial ovens and grills were destroyed along with a lot of food and beverages.

The restaurant manager was surprised when he learned what happened.

"It's a big shock obviously to come in and see there was so much damage. We were told a vehicle hit the building but I didn't know there was that much damage," said El Senor Sol co-owner Willie Valenzuela.

He said the restaurant will have to be closed for a few months while the damage is assessed and repairs are made.

"We're thinking about maybe three or four months to check out the structure and all that stuff. We're going to try to do it as soon as possible," said Valenzuela.

The restaurant employees 12 people.

"It's kind of hard to got two to three months without working," said Valenzuela.

Regular customers will have to find someplace else to dine for the time being since the building is not safe.

"I was shocked, I guess it's lucky somebody wasn't killed," said customer Bob Leino.

The driver's name has not been released. Sheriff's deputies said the investigation continues and charges may be pending. The driver's condition and what hospital she was taken to have not been released.