Spokane truck driver involved in fatal NY restaurant crash

by KREM.com, David Nutt, Andrew Casler and Simon Wheeler, The Ithaca (N.Y.) Journal

KREM.com

Posted on June 24, 2014 at 5:45 AM

ITHACA, New York. A truck driver from Spokanecrashed into a New York restaurant Friday, killing a bartender andinjuring at least seven others.

Witnesses estimated the truck was traveling as fast as 60 mph when it crashed into the building in Downtown Ithaca.

The CBS affiliate in Syracuse reported the tractor trailer hauler was owned by Auto Star Transport in Spokane. The 37-year-old driver was ticketed for having an inadequate braking system and violating length restrictions, according to CBSNews.

The driver of the truck sustained superficial injuries and was being questioned by Ithaca police. The cause of the crash was being investigated Friday evening.

Lindsey Pou, 26, a pastry chef at a nearby restaurant, said she was sitting outside when she saw the tractor-trailer barreling down the street and smash into the building. She said the driver did not sound the horn, and she did not hear any screeching brakes.

There were a number of diners sitting in Simeon's restaurant, and more employees were arriving for the evening shift when the accident occurred, she said.

A group of construction workers were standing in the truck's path and had to leap out of the way to avoid being hit, according to Pou.

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Spokane truck driver involved in fatal NY restaurant crash