One person has died in a devastating truck accident in Poughkeepsie that resulted in the collapse of a beloved restaurant, authorities said.
The impact of the crash shattered the Junior’s Lounge on the Salt Point Turnpike, two sides of the building collapsing as the force of the crash collapsed entire sections of the two-story business.
Police said one person was killed and two others inside the restaurant at the time of the incident were injured.
Crews closed a section of the turnpike for most of the day as crews dug through debris strewn across the parking lot. At the foot of the bar was a damaged SUV that was eventually dragged onto a flatbed several hours after the accident.
Traci Micucci has seen plenty of collisions along the turnpike in the 26 years she’s lived in the area, but never one as bad as Monday’s.
“There are a lot of blind spots and people are speeding on this road,” he said.
As of Monday afternoon, officers were still investigating what caused the truck to go off the road, leading to the destruction of the restaurant.
“Everybody knows about Junior’s bar, a lot of people go there. It’s a great place. It’s very unfortunate,” Micucci said.
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