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.
4 comments
Glad that her son wasn’t seriously hurt. I hope that they are able to rebuild this place. It holds so many memories for me. I was born in Sheffield and we moved off, but every time I visit my grandparents we would stop there to eat. When I stayed on vacation for the summer for them my grandmother and aunt would always take me there for ice cream. Later when I had kids, I would stop there each time we went to visit my grandmother and aunt. My great aunt lived just around the block from here on Hook St when I was growing up. I pray that this owner of Sparkey’s has an easy time with the rebuilt if that is what she does.
I sincerely hope they are able to rebuild. I fear the loss of the famous Sparkey’s Footlong Hotdog. This would be a tragedy of epic proportion. I vividly remember Sparkey himself delivering to the window the heavenly combination of slaw, chili, the dog, a bun so fresh, it stuck to the roof of my mouth and saying, “Hurry Back!” Haven’t found anything in the Shoals that beats it.
we hope thet u are back soon it was a great place to eat
I hope they rebuild! Sparkey’s is a legend! Oh, and as for them moving to Spring Park, that sucks because they won’t allow them to sell ice cream!!