Elderly Driver Crashes Into Sandy Restaurant, Suspected of DUI

Surveillance footage captures moment SUV plows into popular Mexican eatery during lunchtime rush.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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An elderly woman in her 70s was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing her white SUV into a popular Mexican restaurant in Sandy, Utah during the lunchtime rush. Surveillance cameras captured the moment the vehicle barreled through the front entrance, sending glass and debris flying across the dining area. Despite the chaotic scene, no serious injuries were reported as the driver appeared disoriented and distraught after the incident.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks posed by impaired driving, especially among elderly populations, and the potential for devastating consequences when vehicles collide with crowded public spaces. The crash also underscores the fragility of small businesses like the Mexican restaurant, which rely heavily on daily foot traffic to survive.

The details

According to police, the elderly woman crashed her white SUV directly into the front entrance of Los Garcia, a well-loved Mexican restaurant in Sandy, Utah. Surveillance footage captured the moment the vehicle plowed through the dining area, pushing tables into customers and nearly knocking down an interior wall. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with glass and debris flying everywhere, but miraculously no serious injuries were reported.

  • The incident occurred during the lunchtime rush on February 26, 2026.

The players

Los Garcia

A popular Mexican restaurant in Sandy, Utah that was the site of the crash.

Greg Shoop

A customer who was meeting a friend for lunch at Los Garcia when the crash occurred.

Sandy Police

The local law enforcement agency that arrested the elderly driver on suspicion of driving under the influence.

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What they’re saying

“All of a sudden there was this loud boom and glass went flying. A table went flying and I thought, who did what? And I could see the dust and smoke… so I leaned forward and saw that there was a car.”

— Greg Shoop, Customer (ksltv.com)

“If she would've come into the parking lot to the front where we were … all three booths had people in them. It would've been an entirely different story. She picked the right place to hit, that's for sure.”

— Greg Shoop, Customer (ksltv.com)

“She seemed to be disoriented … distraught of course. I saw people helping her out.”

— Greg Shoop, Customer (ksltv.com)

What’s next

The owners of Los Garcia have stated they hope to reopen the restaurant as soon as Thursday, just days after the crash.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of impaired driving, especially among elderly populations, and the devastating impact it can have on small businesses and public spaces. It underscores the need for greater awareness and enforcement around safe driving practices to protect both drivers and the broader community.