Ashtyn Asay A Toms River woman was killed, and seven other people were injured after a vehicle crashed into the outdoor dining area of a Lavallette restaurant on Saturday, September 19th. The restaurant, Meg’s Grill, is temporarily closed. Keep reading to learn more.
About the Accident
According to a press release from the Lavallette Police Department, the crash happened at approximately 11:12AM at Meg’s Grill, located at 1401 Grand Central Avenue. The operator of a 2014 Buick Encore was attempting to park in front of the restaurant when the vehicle apparently accelerated instead of braking. The vehicle then traveled into the restaurant’s outdoor dining area and into the building. Seven restaurant patrons were injured in the crash and transported to the hospital with a variety of injuries, according to police. The driver of the Buick, a 93-year-old Lavallette woman, sustained minor injuries. Cornerstone Wine + Liquors, next door to Meg’s, was damaged in the accident.
Ursula Keating, 56, of Toms River, sustained fatal injuries in the incident. Keating was the wife of John Keating, chief of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company.
“The Officers and Members of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support and for everyone who has reached out to the company during this difficult time,” said a statement from the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company. “We truly appreciate all of the calls, messages, and support from our fire service family and community. We ask that everyone please continue to keep Chief Keating and his family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” A Give In Kind fundraising page has been set up for the family.
According to a Facebook post from Meg’s Grill, the restaurant will remain closed on Monday, September 21, with plans to reopen Tuesday, September 22. Members of the restaurant’s staff were not among those injured.
“Our building is fine and was undamaged. But I can’t say the same for our hearts,” said a statement from Meg’s Grill. “All of our thoughts and prayers are with the people who were hurt. We are closing tomorrow and Monday out of an observance of compassion for my staff and those affected. We plan to reopen Tuesday. If anything changes we will update. Please give an enormous hug to your loved ones tonight. Thank you for all your kind words and thoughts.”
Lavallette Police, Fire, First Aid, and Building Department personnel responded to the scene. Additional response came from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Toms River Police Department and EMS, Ocean Beach Fire Department, Seaside Heights Police and Fire Departments, and TriBoro EMS.
The crash remains under investigation, and police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the incident at this time.
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