Car crashes into wall of Chinese restaurant near Ann Arbor
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information from police.
A 19-year-year-old Saline resident was taken to the hospital after the car he was driving crashed into the wall of a Chinese restaurant on Washtenaw Avenue in Pittsfield Township Thursday night.
A car rests against the side of the Ypbor Yan Chinese restaurant after a crash Thursday night.
Pittsfield Township Police photo
The 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora the 19-year-old was driving west left the north side of Washtenaw Avenue, traveled across the grass and struck the side of Ypbor Yan Chinese restaurant at 4905 Washtenaw Avenue about 8:50 p.m. Thursday, Pittsfield Township Police said in a press release.
The driver lost consciousness shortly before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the wall, Deputy Police Chief Gordy Schick said. He suffered minor cuts, Schick said. Officers are investigating to determine whether drugs or alcohol may be involved, police said.
The driver was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township with injuries that were not life threatening, police said.
The accident was at least the second crash into a building in the Ann Arbor area in less than a week. A woman crashed her car through the wall at a Panera Bread Restaurant on Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday. Police said her foot hit the gas pedal instead of the brake as she was turning onto Plymouth Road from Murfin Avenue. She was not seriously injured.
Comments
Joe_Citizen
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
This "is" getting to be common place. Maybe it is texting, because I see people on the road all the time looking down, and all over the road.
joe.blow
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
These aren't random accidents! This is a form of protest over the lack of drive-thru's at these places.
jns131
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1 p.m.
No wonder I didn't get where this place is. This use to be Emerald City. I really hope the food hasn't gone downhill. We were planning to eat there this weekend. Wow. What a way to get take out.
treetowncartel
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 4:39 p.m.
It is the same menu still and same people, menus actualy sionce they have an American Chinese menu in addition to the traditional Chinese. The name is apparently a play on Ypsi/Ann Arbor. I ate there last night, had the Gong Bao chicken.
ranger007
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
The last part of the article makes no sense what so ever.."police said her foot hit the gas pedal instead of the brake turning onto Plymouth rd from murfin ave"..how can that be when the picture you(a2.com) posted showed her turning into panera bread from plympith rd.
arborani
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
Guess that Wall's not so Great just now . . .
DDOT1962
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 11:49 a.m.
It kept out what looks like a Chevy, but I doubt it could withstand a horde of Mongolians. ;O)
treetowncartel
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.
Note to self, ask for the table farthest away from the road
f4phantomII
Tue, May 1, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
Or upstairs
Cindy Heflin
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
Thanks for all your constructive comments. A word was inadvertently left out of the third paragraph during the story update and has been restored.
Bababooey
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:54 p.m.
Can you even safely step outside in Ann Arbor anymore?? ...and not because of criminal activity but because of overt carelessness.
Duc d'Escargot
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:29 p.m.
Amateur journalism strikes again! "Driver's car crashes into wall of Chinese restaurant..." Well, whose car would it be? A passenger's? The cook's? The server's? Glad that detail was cleared up for us. Also, we're breathlessly awaiting a subject in the first sentence of the third paragraph.
ranger007
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
Is this going to be another "I I hit the gas instead of the brake" excuse?...its really scary that some of the drivers shouldn't even be behind the wheel but some how they are.
jns131
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:01 p.m.
You never know when an illness will take over. Happens all the time. Good luck to the driver.
aquileyendo
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 12:42 a.m.
I don't think so seeing as how the article states that the driver LOST CONSCIOUSNESS right before crashing
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.
Using my handy, dandy google image, the restaurant appears to be Emerald City.
jns131
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
They just changed the name. I loved that name. Guess it is under new ownership? I hope the food is still good.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
"The lost consciousness" The dog? cat? man? woman? cook?
Irwin Daniels
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
quoted from above "The lost"? The lost consciousness shortly before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the wall, Deputy Police Chief Gordy Schick said.
Irwin Daniels
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.
@grimmk I agree - but this is supposed to be a new source of some type and the spelling, is at about a third grade level on a good day. Chill yourself.
grimmk
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.
They lost consciousness. Spelling mistakes happen. Chill.
Cash
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
I think I'll wait until somewhere somehow we get the FULL story ....probably from Detroit media. The past few accident stories were not complete, and in one case, posters jumped to conclusions, only to find out they were way off base. Wait for the full story, if it ever appears.
jns131
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Craig? Their Coconut Shrimp is to die for.
thecompound
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
Geez, why all the vote downs? Competing restaurants?
treetowncartel
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.
They do have good food, and a good ambiance inside as well. Was Forbidden City the first business in that building?
Cash
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.
Millermaple, the dumplings sound good. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm getting burned out on sweet and sour! I do love their egg rolls. I hope Craig is enjoying his.
Cash
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:47 p.m.
Sweet and sour chicken please, Craig! I love their food...matter of act we had just picked up dinner there before this happened. Hope the kids is okay, regardless. Accidents happen.
millermaple
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
Craig, try the dumplings in spicy sauce instead!
millermaple
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
I wish someone would do a webpage with follow ups to stories!
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
and while we're waiting I think I'll order an egg roll and some Emperors Chicken. Can I get you anything Cash?
leezee
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.
Yes, but we do know much more about the driver in this incident. Very interesting.
millermaple
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:23 p.m.
OMG- that's Ybor Yan / also known as Emerald City which has the best Sichuan food in the area! (ask for the separate Chinese menu)
ThaKillaBee
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:15 p.m.
There's a few "Chinese restaurants" in that area, do we know which one it was?
Joe_Citizen
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
It looks to be the old imperial Chinese restaurant.
Danielle Tyree
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.
It was at Ypbor Yan (formerly Emerald City) right near the corner of Washtenaw/Golfside. I live right around the corner and was driving home from work when all the emergency personnel was out.
Brad
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:06 p.m.
What is going on with the recent spate of vehicle-structure collisions? Retaining wall at Weber's, Panera on Plymouth Rd. and now this. Did those buildings turn in front of you without signaling or something?