A Saturday morning crash at a Lavallette restaurant left one woman dead and seven other people injured after a 93-year-old driver trying to park accidentally accelerated into an outdoor dining area.
The crash happened around 11:12 a.m. Sept. 19 at Meg’s Grill on Grand Central Avenue, where the 2014 Buick Encore entered the restaurant’s outdoor seating area before striking the building, according to police.
The woman who died was identified as 56-year-old Ursula Keating of Toms River. Keating was the wife of John Keating, chief of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company. Seven other restaurant patrons were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment. The driver, a Lavallette woman, suffered minor injuries.
What happened outside Meg’s Grill
Police said the driver was attempting to park in front of the restaurant when she apparently pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. The vehicle then moved rapidly into the outdoor dining area and continued into the building.
The collision also damaged the neighboring Cornerstone Wine & Liquors. Emergency crews from several local departments responded as police, firefighters and medical personnel worked at the scene.
Early reports from the scene described a chaotic response, with witnesses hearing the impact and seeing emergency crews arrive quickly. The restaurant area was later boarded up as the community began coming to the site to pay respects.
Community remembers Ursula Keating
By Sunday, flowers had been left near the damaged business as friends, neighbors and members of local fire companies mourned Keating.
Meg’s Grill also shared a message of sympathy for Keating’s family, expressing condolences and recognizing the support her daughter provided during the aftermath of the crash. Local fire departments also posted messages of support for the Keating family and the Silverton fire service community.
The crash has also prompted discussion among some residents about the safety of outdoor dining areas positioned close to parking spaces and moving vehicles. The concern centers on whether additional physical protection c
