One dead and 6 hurt after car slams into South Beach restaurant’s outdoor cafe, cops say
An elderly woman trying to parallel park instead accelerated into a South Beach restaurant’s outdoor seating area Thursday night — killing one person and injuring six others, police say.
Around 6 p.m., Miami Beach police and fire responded to a crash at Call Me Gaby, a restaurant at 22 Washington Ave.
The woman hit several tables — sending seven people to the hospital, police said.
A statement released by Call Me Gaby said patrons and bystanders helped lift the car to save a 3-year-old boy and a man in his 50s, who were trapped underneath.
“We are deeply saddened and devastated by last night’s tragic event,” the statement read. “On behalf of everyone within the Call Me Gaby family, our thoughts and prayers go out to those injured and deceased in the incident and their loved ones. We hold all those involved close to our hearts.”
The restaurant will be closed Friday, out of respect to those involved in the crash, it said.
WPLG-Local 10 spoke to Robert Deburro, a bystander who said there was black smoke everywhere when the car drove through. Some people were running; others went to help.
“There was a small boy and a few people trapped underneath the vehicle,” he said. “A bunch of people lifted the...and pulled a young boy out.”
Outside the restaurant, which is across from the famous Joe’s Stone Crab, bystanders told the Herald they heard a loud bang from across the street and came to see what happened.
Joe’s Stone Crab closed for the night following the crash.
Clement Lottier shared a video via Twitter that showed smoke billowing from the restaurant as a crowd of people ran away.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber called it a “devastating tragedy.”
“Our entire city grieves for all the victims and their families,” he said in a statement.
Miami Herald Reporter Omar Rodriguez Ortiz contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 8:18 PM.
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