Car crashes into Milwaukee restaurant, leaving behind damage and raising safety concerns
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - A crash on Milwaukee’s northwest side is raising new safety concerns in the neighborhood after a car slammed into a local restaurant, damaging the building and sparking concerns about traffic speeds in the area.
The crash happened Wednesday night, April 22, at Jackson’s Soul Food Redefined Express near 62nd and Fond du Lac.
Fire crews responded to the scene and shut off a severed gas line following the impact.
The damage remains visible outside the restaurant, including a bent metal railing and marks left in the landscaping.
Damage outside restaurant
A business owner across the street, Alexa McGee-Lawson, said she went to check on the scene after hearing about the crash.
“I got in my car and rode around to see what was going on and check on my business because it’s right across the street," said McGee-Lawson.
By the time she arrived, the vehicle had already been removed, but she said signs of the impact were still clear.
“When I came around the car that ran into the building was not there anymore but I noticed that it was a little disproportioned over by the fence area," she said.
McGee-Lawson said the incident highlights broader concerns about safety in a high-traffic area, “the city of Milwaukee should control this area a little more.”
She also pointed to speed and traffic volume as ongoing issues.
She said, “This is a high traffic area so if we were able to control speed limits and things of that nature I think it will be a lot better and safer.”
McGee-Lawson added that the temporary closure of the restaurant could have financial consequences for the business.
She said, “You have to have monetaries coming in so that you can stay afloat so with them being out of commission for a couple of days I’m sure it will be a rough impact on them.”
She said she hopes the restaurant can recover quickly.
“I’m sorry this happened to them and hopefully they can get that resolved and back up and running," said McGee-Lawson.