TUSCUMBIA – A pickup truck, driven by a man who allegedly was chasing his girlfriend along Old Lee Highway, drove through the front of Sparkey’s Drive-Inn this morning. The destruction was thorough.
Karen Smith surveys damage to Sparkey’s Restaurant.
Sparkey’s owner of 17 years, Karen Smith was distraught as she surveyed the damage. “The truck moved the building off it’s foundation,” she said, “I don’t think it can be repaired very easily.” From the looks of things, she probably was right.
The truck (not shown) veered off Old Lee Highway into the corner of the building.
The truck, driven by an unidentified man, was careening down Old Lee Highway toward Hook Street, when it swerved to the right and hit the building. There were visible skid marks which would indicate that he was trying apply the brakes. According to reports, he had been arguing with his girlfriend. Apparently, she was driving in front of him and he was chasing after her vehicle when he lost control. As of this writing, the man is in Helen Keller Hospital. His condition is unknown. The woman he was allegedly chasing was not hurt.
According to Smith, her 35-year-old son, Todd was inside the building when the truck hit. She said he was trapped in the kitchen by the collapsing building, and had to be rescued by Tuscumbia Fire Department personnel. She indicated that he was suffering some cuts from the flying glass. He was apparently evaluated by EMT’s and did not have to go to the hospital.
Smith said that they would move to the restaurant facility in Spring Park. They had operated there for about 2 years during the time that Hook St./Old Memphis Road was being improved by the construction of a bridge and intersection improvements. She does not yet know when they expect to be back at the Spring Park location. For now, Karen Smith, is grateful that her son is OK. “The rest will all come into place. It is just going to take time and a lot of work,” she said.
See our related story where the driver is identified. CLICK HERE.
