Several injured after suspected impaired driver crashes into Nanaimo restaurant

A quiet Monday evening at Nana Sushi quickly turned chaotic after a vehicle crashed into the front of the downtown Nanaimo restaurant.

According to Nanaimo RCMP, officers were called to the area at approximately 7:45 p.m. on May 18th after reports that a vehicle had driven directly into the front of the restaurant.

Police, firefighters and paramedics arrived to find a black SUV lodged inside the storefront, causing significant damage to both the exterior and interior of the business.

Several patrons inside the restaurant suffered minor injuries, while others were left shaken following the crash.

Police later identified the alleged driver, a man in his 40s, who was detained for allegedly driving while impaired by drugs. Police said he was later transported to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers remained at the scene for several hours while traffic control was conducted and the SUV was removed from the building. The vehicle has since been towed to a secure facility for a forensic examination.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation and no charges have been laid at this time.

Anyone with information related to the incident is being asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at (250)754-2345.