HOWELL — A Howell resident was issued a summons after a motor vehicle accident resulted in damage to several vehicles and a restaurant.
The accident occurred at 12:30 p.m. April 27 as William Diehl, 81, of Howell, was traveling north on Route 9 in a 2008 GMC truck, according to Howell Police Sgt. Eileen Dodd.
Dodd said Meridinn Ing, 74, was at the corner of Georgia Tavern Road and Route 9 north, and was driving a 2006 Honda Civic. Ing made a right turn on a red light and entered Diehl’s lane of travel.
Ing’s vehicle collided with Diehl’s vehicle, and his truck hit a curb, overturned and came to rest in the parking lot of a Stewart’s restaurant at the corner of Route 9 north and Georgia Tavern Road.
Dodd said that after the collision occurred, Ing’s vehicle traveled through the restaurant’s parking lot and struck the building. The vehicle came to rest partially inside the restaurant.
Dodd said several people were dining in Stewart’s at the time of the accident, but all the customers and employees were able to avoid serious injury.
A 2011 Honda Accord that was parked in the Stewart’s parking lot was struck by Diehl’s vehicle after his vehicle overturned and before it came to rest.
Ing was issued a summons for failing to stop or yield, according to Dodd.
Diehl was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, for treatment of facial lacerations, according to Dodd. No update on his condition was available.
Dodd said Ing complained of dizziness after the accident. Ing and two customers were evaluated by first aid responders and declined further medical treatment.
Responding to the scene were the Howell Police Department, Freewood Acres Fire Company, Squankum Fire Company, Howell First Aid Squad and Howell Police Department First Aid Squad.
Following the accident, the restaurant structure was deemed unsafe by representatives of the Howell Building Department, according to Dodd. She said the restaurant reopened on April 29.