FOLSOM — Lunchtime became a chaotic scene on East Bidwell Street Wednesday when a car suddenly veered from a parking lot, jumped the curb, and slammed into the front of a pizza shop. The crash startled shoppers and diners in the busy center, but fortunately no one was injured.
The collision happened just before noon at 703 East Bidwell Street, home to both Jersey Mike’s Subs and Papa Murphy’s. A white sedan, driven by a woman, accelerated from the lot and struck an outdoor patio table before plowing through the glass entry of the pizza restaurant. The table, often filled during the lunch hour, was unoccupied at the time.
The Folsom Fire Department was dispatched at 11:37 a.m., and units were on scene within minutes. Firefighters evacuated both restaurants as a precaution while they assessed the structural integrity of the building. Folsom Police officers responded alongside firefighters to secure the area and begin investigating why the driver lost control.
The impact left extensive damage to Papa Murphy’s, with shattered glass and broken framing scattered across the sidewalk. Chairs and debris were strewn into the parking lot, and the restaurant’s entryway was left destroyed. Jersey Mike’s, though not directly struck, also sustained additional damage and was cleared out until officials could confirm the building’s safety.
Both businesses were temporarily closed as emergency crews stabilized the site. Cleanup and repairs will be required before either restaurant can reopen.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Authorities have not confirmed whether the driver experienced a medical emergency or another factor contributed to the incident.
By early afternoon, Folsom Fire Department crews remained on scene to secure the structure and ensure there were no further hazards before turning the site over for cleanup and repair.
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