Van Smashes Into Siam Spicy Restaurant In Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - Authorities say a man is hospitalized after crashing his van into the front of a Thai restaurant in Royal Oak.

The accident happened Thursday morning at Siam Spicy on the northbound side of Woodward Avenue near Webster Road, between 12 Mile and 13 Mile roads.

Officials say it appears the van driver suffered a medical emergency and lost control of his vehicle before crashing into a corner of the stand-alone restaurant.

The driver was taken to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. His current condition is unknown.

Reporting live from the scene, WWJ's Laura Bonnell said officials have declared the building structurally unsound. Jennifer Braybrandt, a friend of the restaurant owner, said the business could now be closed for months.

"She's very grateful that nobody was in the building at the time. She's feeling very blessed about that right now but she's very upset, of course, about the damage," said Braybrandt. "She's a very hard worker and she lives for this place, so she's very upset."

Neighboring business owner Ron Salmon said he almost couldn't believe what he was seeing -- a van sticking out of a wall.

"I was shocked when I came in," he said. "I was shocked just to see this horrible scene."

An investigation is ongoing.

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