A sport utility vehicle flipped onto the outdoor patio of popular Heights restaurant ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. on Wednesday, damaging a support beam but leaving the driver uninjured.
Police on the scene said the wreck happened shortly before 11:15 a.m. and appeared to have been caused when the driver was attempting to back out and hit the gas instead of the brake.
Her Saturn Vue then veered forward, crossing steps leading onto the patio and then toppling onto its side there.
The driver, the only person in the vehicle, was checked out but suffered no injuries, police said.
No one at the restaurant was injured, either, though about 40 customers had to stay inside — or be escorted out a rear service exit — while fire crews made sure the impact didn't damage the front entryway of the structure.
Amber Brewer, brand manager for Yellow Rocket Concepts, which owns Zaza, said the business handed out free gelato while customers waited for an all-clear from the department.
The business was back open and the SUV removed from the patio before 1:30 p.m., though Brewer said part of the patio would remain closed until the beam — which holds up an awning over part of it — is fully repaired.
