Popular Fort Mill breakfast spot reopens after car crashed into business, staff members say

FORT MILL, S.C. — A popular Fort Mill restaurant has reopened after a car drove into the business last weekend as families were eating brunch, according to staff members.

Employees at The Flipside Cafe said a driver passed out behind the wheel before driving their car into the building.

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The Flipside Cafe

Amy Fortes, the owner of the cafe, told Channel 9′s Gina Esposito that the wall of the cafe is now boarded up, and they are accepting customers.

Esposito went to the cafe the day after the crash and learned a husband and wife were sitting near the front, waiting for a table, when they were hit.

“Injured a couple that was here. Some of our regulars,” Fortes said.

Fortes owns the popular breakfast sport with her husband Jon. They weren’t there when the crash happened, and she said the woman was pinned underneath the car and employees rushed to help.

“They were trying to push the car away from the lady,” Fortes said. “Thankfully, to our knowledge we heard that she is stable, with no major injuries.”

Troopers said the 61-year-old driver went to the hospital. Investigators haven’t said why he crashed, but Fortes said employees had a difficult time communicating with him.

“We got incredibly lucky yesterday. On all accounts, it could have been drastically worse,” Fortes said.

She said two factors likely saved lives -- crowds had just died down and the sun was so bright, many of their customers were waiting away from the front door. Fortes believes someone was watching over them and now the community is too.

“I want to say I’m thankful to our community. The amount of shares. The amount of comments,” she said. “It was really grounding for Jon and I to see that kind of support. We love our community. We always have, but it really showed yesterday.”

Troopers said the driver likely won’t face charges since the crash was on private property.

Fortes said she isn’t sure when the repairs will be completed, but until then people are welcome to come in.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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