(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) An SUV has crashed into the side of Mad Rose Tavern in Clarendon, trapping one person underneath the vehicle.
Police and fire department rescue units responded to the scene and within a half hour was able to free the person from under the SUV.
Witnesses tell ARLnow.com that an older man in an SUV drove through the intersection of Washington Blvd and Clarendon Blvd, struck a woman in the crosswalk, knocked down a light pole and drove down the sidewalk before the vehicle finally came to a stop next to Mad Rose.
A woman was trapped underneath the SUV and could be heard screaming for help, a witness said. She was transported to the trauma center at George Washington University hospital but is expected to survive, police say.
The woman was an employee of Mad Rose Tavern, a restaurant manager said. The restaurant’s popular sidewalk cafe along Clarendon Blvd was destroyed by the SUV, but was not open at the time of the crash.
Investigators have secured surveillance footage of the crash from the restaurant, we’re told. The driver had bloodshot eyes and appeared to be intoxicated, said the restaurant manager.
The woman struck in the crosswalk was spun around by the collision but did not appear to be seriously hurt, a witness said. She was transported to Virginia Hospital Center, according to a police department spokeswoman. A third person was being evaluated by paramedics on scene.
Another witness said he spoke with the driver, who appeared dazed and disoriented, immediately after the crash. The witness asked what happened and, according to him, the man said he had just picked up medication from a local pharmacy.
The driver was led in handcuffs to a police cruiser. So far there’s no word on any charges filed.
Washington Blvd is currently closed between Highland and Clarendon, while Clarendon is closed between Washington and Highland. A large number of emergency responders are on scene but are beginning to pick up and go back in service.
Police are currently expected to remain on scene for an extended period of time due to traffic impacts from the traffic lights at the intersection of Washington and Clarendon being knocked out by the crash. Drivers in the Clarendon area should expect heavy traffic during the evening rush hour.
Update on 10/5/16 — The driver has been charged with DUI.