ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 has learned the man behind the wheel of a Lynx SUV that injured customers when it crashed into a local Popeyes restaurant is now facing DUI charges.
The Lynx vehicle crashed into the Popeyes on West Colonial Drive Monday afternoon, injuring several people.
Officials said the driver, Phillip Reynaldo Brown, has a suspended license and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
"The truck jumped the sidewalk and it ran right into the Popeyes, and I was standing right up under the Popeyes sign and I just got out of the way because I didn't want to get hit," a witness told Channel 9.
Yolanda Burgeros said she took her 8-year-old grandson to Popeyes on Monday and had to jump out of the way before the van could hit them.
"We just sat down to eat our meal. One bite, that was it," said Burgeros.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the Lynx vehicle ran a stoplight and struck a car before smashing into the Popeyes.
"I saw it coming. I was at the counter and screamed, 'Run!'" another witness said.
The driver of the car that Brown struck, Nelson Strada, 25, of Orlando, was hospitalized with serious injuries, according to troopers.
Troopers said two people in the restaurant were hospitalized with serious injuries and the 8-year-old child was hospitalized with minor injuries.
A Lynx representative said Brown is a participant in its van pool program and was authorized to drive the van.
A third party runs the program and told WFTV it's only required to check driving histories every two years.
"At the time of application he did have a valid license," said Matt Friedman of Lynx. "We don't like having people with a suspended license and not know about it."
The representative said the van was rented from Lynx and that Strada has been with a group renting the van for two months.
Troopers said Brown was charged with driving while his license was suspended and for running a red light. Brown was also charged with DUI with serious bodily injury.
Records show that Brown was ticketed in August for running a red light.
WFTV
