A sport utility vehicle that crashed through the wall of a York fish market crushed the table and chair where a young woman waiting for a job interview had been seated a minute earlier.
The woman was shaken up but not injured, and no on else was hurt when the 4.400-pound SUV traveled 46 feet into the fish market before coming to rest in the bathroom.
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York Police Sgt. Thomas Baran said the accident occurred around 7:18 p.m. Saturday at York Lobster & Seafood on Route 1. He said the 2006 Ford Explorer was being driven by David Friedman, 46, of York.
Baran said the second floor of the market had to be propped up so the SUV could be removed. He estimated that the damages could total $100,000.
Tom Robinson, who owns York Lobster & Seafood and Tom’s Fried Clams next door, said the fish market had closed but about 75 customers were eating in the restaurant’s outdoor pavilion when the accident occurred.
“It sounded very bad and it looked very bad, but we still can’t get over the fact that everyone is OK,” Robinson said. “I am actually thrilled because even though our fish market is shut down in the height of our season, I think about what could have happened.”
Friedman had driven to the establishment to pick up a takeout order, Robinson said. Police said he backed up, hit a sign post and then began to move forward, accelerating and ramming the fish market’s wall.
“Driver impairment has been ruled out,” Sgt. Baran said. “We’re looking at a possible mechanical issue (with the vehicle).”
Friedman has not been charged. Robinson said his job interview with the young woman had been delayed for more than an hour because he could not break away from the busy restaurant. She decided to wait in the fish market after it closed at 7 p.m., and he finally had time to meet with her.
He said they got up to leave the market, and about 40 seconds later the SUV ripped through the wall, crushing the table and chair where the woman had been seated.
They did not complete the interview. “She was very shaken up,” Robinson said. “Afterward, she came up to me. She was crying and gave me a big hug. She said, ‘You saved my life.’“
Robinson said the fish market will remain closed for most of this week, but could reopen by Saturday.
Tom’s Fried Clams reopened for business on Sunday.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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