Original Metro Diner set to be closed for weeks after car crashes in to restaurant

Jacksonville FL — Contractors are assessing the necessary repairs needed at a popular restaurant in San Marco. The original Metro Diner is likely to be closed for three to four weeks we’re told after a car crashed into the front of the building on Hendricks Avenue.

Daniel Schellhorn, one of the managing partners of Metro Diner, says a car swerved to miss another car that was crossing Hendricks, lost control and slammed into the front of the building that's been around since the 1930's.

GALLERY: Original Metro Diner damaged in crash

“It’s sad to see damage like that, but the most important thing is that nobody was in there, nobody, nobody was hurt and everything else can be replaced and fixed.” Schellhorn says.

Schellhorn says the driver of the car that slammed in to the building was an off-duty JSO officer and they were able to get out of the car on their own power. He says the driver of the other car fled the scene after the crash. Since the restaurant was closed for dinner, no one was at the restaurant at the time of the crash.

He says there is video of the crash and they have given it to JSO to find out exactly what happened.

“Obviously we have some structural damage that were gonna be working on and try to get open as soon as possible and as soon as its safe to do so.” Schellhorn says.

The San Marco location’s managing partner, Ed Lenhart tells WOKV from his understanding all employees at this location will be compensated while the restaurant is closed. He added he is proud of the employees that showed up to help following the crash.