Elderly Man Crashes SUV Into Popular Italian Restaurant In Edison, N.J.

EDISON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Diners in New Jersey were left diving for cover after a SUV plowed into an Edison restaurant Wednesday afternoon.

The terrifying scene played out during lunch when an out-of-control vehicle practically landed in patrons' laps at the popular Italian restaurant LouCas.

"I heard like a big sound that sounded like a garbage truck and I turned around and I saw the Jeep going through the restaurant," Brianna Scafe told CBS 2's Christine Sloan.

Authorities said a man in his 80s was behind the wheel. He was a little shaken up when CBS 2's Sloan spoke to him and said only that he was driving the vehicle that crashed.

"The gentleman got confused between the gas and the brake. He accidentally hit the gas, the car entered into the building," said Tim Morley of the Edison Fire Department.

Miraculously, no one was sitting at the table that the car crashed into, but a witness said people were sitting on both sides.

"On the right side, if you open the right door, someone would've gotten hit. If you opened the left door, someone would have gotten hit. But that one table right there, I mean I've sat there personally for my own birthday with my whole family. I mean, no one was sitting at that center table," Matthew Manisa said.

Oddly enough, wine glasses and plates still sat at the table to the left of the jeep. The driver, who wouldn't identify himself to CBS 2, got a ticket for reckless driving.

The restaurant manager said he was thankful no one was hurt and plans on having the restaurant open by Easter.

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