Community members have come together to support a local restaurant after a dramatic accident threatened the business’ future.
Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to a call at Speranza Italian Restaurant, located at 18204 Preston Road, on Thursday, January 26. A green SUV had driven into the north wall of the restaurant, according to a post made by the business.
Security cameras captured several customers enjoying their evening meals when the crash happened. Police said the driver was severely intoxicated and all four passengers in the car were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Nicole Mala is a co-owner of the restaurant, together with her family. She can be seen in the surveillance footage of the crash, standing off to the left by a booth inside.
Mala told The Dallas Express that her parents, as well as staff members and guests, were in the restaurant at the time of the accident. Mala, who is pregnant, says the episode was especially frightening for her.
“To be honest when it first happened, it sounded like a bomb or something exploded in our building. It was so crazy and I was in a bit of shock, just trying to see what was going on”, Mala said. “Once we collected our thoughts, I just called 911 and scrambled to help the customers that were injured.”
Customers are amazed that, just two days later, the restaurant was taking to-go orders with a makeshift wall. The restaurant was back in full operation a week later because of the support of customers like Michelle Troop.
“Their ability to come back so quickly, we were here the first night they opened, it was a little cold in here, but it was OK,” Troop told CBS DFW. “We got to have the food, we got to support them.”
About 56 community members donated to the repair costs and raised about $3,220. Mala said the GoFundMe account has since been closed and those donations went toward making sure the staff was okay while the restaurant was recovering.
Mala said the only word she has to describe how she feels now is “blessed.”
“We consider them like family,” Mala said. “80% of our clientele are regulars so it was kind of like we went through it but they were there going through it with us and supporting us. It was a great feeling to have all of that support from the community and we are grateful for that.”
According to the restaurant, everyone taken to the hospital has been released, and the driver was charged with intoxication assault. Mala said that they are still waiting on their insurer to determine exactly how much damage was done, but it is believed to be extensive.
Despite the continued cosmetic issues, Speranza is up and fully running.