Pickup truck jumps curb, injures 13 sidewalk diners

A summer evening at the Clicquot Club in south Minneapolis was thrown into chaos after a driver passed out and lost control.

By Joy Powell and Mary Lynn Smith, Star Tribune

Last update: August 18, 2007 - 1:22 AM

When servers at Clicquot Club Cafe in south Minneapolis heard the screams of customers and the roar of the pickup truck plowing through sidewalk patio tables Friday night, they rushed out the door.

A white Ford Ranger pickup truck with an unconscious female driver had barreled into diners and the engine was still racing. One man, a regular, was pinned underneath it, clearly injured.

Employees "moved the truck at least 6 feet till it was off him," said restaurant co-owner Aaron Olson. "The truck was still roaring and the tires still squealing. They pushed it back."

Thirteen adults and children were treated at Hennepin County Medical Center, and two were admitted, at least one in critical condition.

The accident happened at 7:15 p.m. on a balmy summer evening, when all eight four-person outdoor tables at the popular cafe were full, restaurant employees said.

The cafe, at 2929 E. 25th St., opened in 2006 in the Seward neighborhood. Located in the former Wilson's Grocery store, it features a casual atmosphere and specializes in homemade pizza, sandwiches, salads, coffee and tea.

Restaurant spokeswoman Amy Fisher said the truck's driver was a neighborhood resident who had phoned in an order and "suffered a medical condition" before driving onto the sidewalk.

Police told Fisher the truck was going about 30 miles per hour when it hit the diners.

By 10 p.m., police had left and employees and neighborhood residents were sweeping up debris.

"We know all of our customers -- they're like family," Olson said. "We're very concerned about them and will go to the hospital as soon as we can to see how everyone is doing."

Workers gathered a bloodied hat, eyeglasses, crayons and a child's headband.

Co-owner Bryan Maher urged them to "be respectful as you can, please."

Police Capt. Mike Sauro said the driver of the truck was given toxicology tests and taken to police headquarters for questioning.

"The reasons why she did what she did are all under investigation," Sauro said.

Olson said the accident came just as workers were recovering from the shock of having the chef's brother, who also is the roommate of an employee, severely injured in the Interstate 35W bridge collapse.

Out of respect for them and the injured, the Clicquot Club will stay closed this weekend, they said.

mlsmith@startribune.com • 612-673-4595 jpowell@startribune.com • 612-673-7750