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SYCAMORE – A truck used to haul portable toilets caused about $100,000 in damage when it plowed into the front of Taxco Restaurant around 6 a.m. today.
A tenant living in one of the apartments above the Mexican restaurant at 223 W. State St. called owner Jesus Romero after feeling the building shake from the impact. No one was at the restaurant at the time and the tenants in apartments upstairs were unharmed.
“I was very scared,” Romero said. “This is my dream business. But I was glad it happened when it did. No one was in the restaurant or on the street. It could have been way worse.”
Sycamore police officer Michael Eide would not disclose how many people were in the truck at the time of the crash, but said no one appeared to be seriously injured. He also did not comment on the cause or any citations that might have been issued.
Romero's insurance agent, Larry Forsberg of Partridge Insurance, said the truck was heading west on State Street when the driver lost control of the vehicle and did a u-turn in front of Elleson's Bakery at 44 W. State Street. The vehicle started heading east on State Street, smashed into a stop light, parking meter and planter at the corner of State and Somonauk streets before crashing into Taxco's main entrance, Forsberg said. The truck smashed several large glass windows, pushed the non-structural walls out of place and damaged the brick facade.
Forsberg estimated the crash cause about $100,000 in damages to the business as well as the city's items.
The crash also might have caused structural damage to the restaurant, which is spread across three buildings. The buildings will need to be inspected by a structural engineer with the city before Taxco can reopen, Romero said.
Romero had crews working to clear the damage Sunday in hopes he will be able to reopen at least part of the restaurant for dinner service Tuesday.
“We will make sure it's safe first for the public, my place and everybody,” Romero said. “Material things can be replaced. The good thing is no one was hurt.”