Video shows SUV crashing into Vancouver Island restaurant

A dishwasher at Ricky’s Restaurant in Courtenay was thrown from his seat when an SUV smashed into the restaurant’s front window.

An employee at a Vancouver Island restaurant is lucky to be alive after being struck by an SUV that crashed into the dining area over the weekend.

Surveillance video shows the vehicle barreling through the front of the Ricky’s All Day Grill in Courtenay, slamming into some tables and coming to an abrupt stop.

Co-owner Darrell Crawford said one of their dishwashers was sitting near the windows “enjoying the sun” when the SUV crashed into him, sending him flying into the restaurant.

“It was quite shocking,” Crawford said. “There was a family of 12 that had just left 20 minutes before.”

The worker suffered a back injury and some cuts from broken glass, but was not seriously wounded, according to his employers.

Crawford said the dishwasher has been released from hospital.

It’s unclear what caused the crash. The RCMP confirmed it is investigating what happened, but has not provided any further details.

Crawford said the driver was an “elderly lady” who “probably just made a mistake.”

The Ricky’s location was closed Monday with boards covering the front windows. Crawford said the owners intend to reopen half of the restaurant on Tuesday.