A 22-year-old North Carolina man is facing serious felony charges after he allegedly drove his SUV into a packed Mooresville restaurant that had denied him service on the night of April 12. Workers at the popular sports bar and grill on Plaza Drive said that the man had been refused entry because he was obviously intoxicated. He has since been charged with using his vehicle as a deadly weapon with the intent to kill or cause serious injury and drunk driving. Reports indicate that he is being held in lieu of a $200,000 bond.
Eyewitnesses say that the man became involved in a physical altercation with at least two other individuals after being denied service in the restaurant. The scuffle took place in the facility’s parking lot, according to media accounts. The man then allegedly entered his SUV and maneuvered it so that he could strike the restaurant with significant force. Some onlookers say that the vehicle was traveling at around 40 mph.
Images taken shortly after the crash show that the SUV came to a rest inside the sports bar area near some pool tables. Reports indicate that a restaurant employee detained the man and protected him from several angry patrons until police arrived. Police say that no restaurant patrons or workers suffered serious injuries.
In many cases, drunk driving charges can lead to severe consequences. However, all alleged offenders are afforded access to legal counsel. Criminal defense attorneys may encourage leniency by reminding prosecutors that trials are expensive and juries always introduce an element of uncertainty.