Man Who Crashed SUV Into LI Panera Bread, Seriously Injuring 2 Women, Pleads Not Guilty
EAST FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The man who crashed his SUV into a Panera Bread restaurant on Long Island Thursday faced a judge Friday.
Jerome Arnold, 69, plead not guilty after he was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of an accident and aggravated unlicensed operator for driving with a suspended license.
Police said Arnold was fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run accident through the parking lot of a Walmart in East Farmingdale when he struck a parked vehicle and then plowed into a Panera Bread restaurant.
Arnold's grandson began crying when he saw his grandfather face the judge, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported. He said his grandfather accidentally hit the gas instead of the break and slammed into the restaurant.
"He's a great guy. It was a terrible accident, we really feel bad for everyone who got hurt in Panera," his grandson said.
Man Who Crashed SUV Into LI Panera Bread, Seriously Injuring 2 Women, Pleads Not Guilty
"I thought that the roof was caving in. She thought there was a bomb going off," said a witness who was eating breakfast with another woman at the time.
Two people inside the restaurant were injured in the crash.
Ragen Ryan, 34, was pinned beneath the vehicle and was hospitalized in serious condition. Another patron, 37-year-old Marianne Turndahl, was hospitalized in stable condition.
Arnold and a female passenger inside his car were also taken to Nassau University Medical Center for minor injuries.
Panera released a statement following the accident.
"Our hopes, thoughts and prayers are with those injured in this accident," said Greg George, vice president of operations for Doherty Enterprises, Inc. — the Panera Bread franchisee on Long Island, in a statement. "The safety and well-being of our Panera Bread guests and staff is our top priority. Members of our team are working closely with local authorities to gather details. We also appreciate the response from local first responders on the scene."
Suffolk County police detectives asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash and has not been interviewed to call the First Squad at (631) 854-8152.
A fundraising account has also been set up to help defray the victims' medical costs.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
