HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — An unexpected moment at a local fast food restaurant left the owners picking up the pieces.

Around 12 pm on Wednesday, Huntingdon’s police and fire departments responded to an emergency call at Sonic on East Main Street regarding an elderly individual that wrecked into the side of restaurant.

“I wasn’t here. I got a phone call from my management that said someone had run into the building and it was smoking and they thought it was on fire. Luckily it wasn’t. From what I’ve gathered, he was parked into the first or second stall here and he put it in reverse to leave and had a medical episode,” said Josh Grant, Co-owner.

Looking back at the security footage, moments before, you can see an employee point towards the wall as the truck caves through. Another employee is quick to help get 78 year old Richard Rice and his dog out of the truck.

“When we arrived on scene there was an elderly gentleman. He was parked in one of the stalls here. He was backing out and instead of putting his foot on the brake, he put his foot on the gas and he had maybe some kind of medical issue and he couldn’t get his foot off the gas and he proceeded straight back and went completely into the store–into the Sonic building,” said Lt. Angie Barker with the Huntingdon Police Department.

According to the owners, the day shift employees working during the accident were emotionally shaken and, as a result, were told to take the day off.

“We have found out he has had some strokes in the past so that could’ve been part of the issue. He’s okay. “One of the sheriff’s county deputies took him home–him and his dog, so he’s fine,” said Barker.

According to the owners of the Sonic it only took them a couple of hours to get the building all patched up and the employees are now back to work. The best part about it is that the ice cream machine still works.

“We’re so blessed. It’s a beautiful community and the people here love us and we love them just as much,” said Josh Grant, Co-owner. “And a huge thank you to Huntingdon’s finest who jumped and ran out here and took care of it. We couldn’t ask for better first responders in this town,” said Jay Grant, Co-owner.

The owners shared that after the wreck, Rice stated that he just wanted his milkshake.

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