A driver has been charged after he crashed his car through a restaurant in Crystal Lake last month, leaving multiple people injured, including one person with serious injuries.
The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. on March 23 at Buffalo Wings and Rings, located at 1520 Carlemont Drive in Crystal Lake.
Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kotlowski said a preliminary investigation showed a Nissan Altima was traveling westbound in the parking lot.
The Nissan was attempting to park when it continued driving over the sidewalk, Kotlowski said.
The vehicle struck the building, fully breaching glass windows, before coming to a rest inside the business.
Four adult victims were transported by ambulances to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries, Kotlowski said.
The victims suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor.
Jim Wojdyla said his bandmate, Michael Zaitz, and Zaitz’s wife were eating at the restaurant.
“Mike looked up at the big front bay window and saw a car plow through the glass. He pushed his wife out of harm’s way and took the hit. He was pinned under the car and got hit by a lot of glass and debris,” Wojdyla said.
Zaitz broke his right tibia, received six stitches in his left hand and had large glass shards in his left leg.
“Mike is a union electrician without short-term disability pay. He cannot work and he cannot play in Modern Day Romeos for the time being. We are trying to help the Zaitz family cover their financial worries, so they can help Mike recover from this insanely freak accident,” Wojdyla said.
A GoFundMe account created to benefit Zaitz has raised over $36,000.
The adult male driver of the vehicle was not injured, Kotlowski said.
Court records show the driver was Robert J. Goduto, 73, of Crystal Lake.
Goduto was charged with reckless conduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
A criminal complaint alleges Goduto operated his vehicle in a reckless manner, resulting in bodily harm.
Goduto was issued a notice to appear in court on May 9 for a plea hearing.