87-year-old driver crashes into Malden restaurant during parallel parking attempt

An 87-year-old woman narrowly escaped injury Wednesday morning after her SUV plowed through the main entrance of a Mexican restaurant in Malden, Massachusetts, just as it was opening for the day.

The crash happened around 11 a.m. on Pleasant Street, directly across from Malden City Hall. The woman, whose name has not been released, had been attempting to parallel park her burgundy Lincoln SUV when she mistakenly stomped on the accelerator instead of the brake. The vehicle lunged forward, jumped the curb, and crashed through the glass door and part of the facade of Santa Fe Burrito Grill and Bar.

“She was trying to get into the spot, and then boom — the car just shot forward,” said a nearby witness who asked to remain anonymous. “I thought it was going to go all the way through the building.”

Fortunately, the restaurant had just opened and was largely empty. Malden Deputy Fire Chief Keith Buchanan confirmed that no customers were inside the dining area at the time of the impact. The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Jasmin Tenan, the restaurant’s manager, said she was in the back prep area when she heard a loud crash. She rushed to the front to find the SUV wedged into the doorway, the driver sitting still behind the wheel.

“She was kind of in shock, I guess,” Tenan told reporters. “I helped her get out of the car, gave her a seat and a glass of water. She was shaking pretty badly.”

Paramedics arrived within minutes, but the woman refused medical transport and was released to a family member. Police said no alcohol or drugs were suspected, and citations are not expected pending the investigation.

The restaurant, a popular lunch spot for city employees and nearby office workers, will remain closed for an unspecified period. Crews were already boarding up the damaged entrance Wednesday afternoon, and a clean-up crew swept broken glass from the sidewalk. A tow truck later removed the SUV, which sustained moderate front-end damage.

The area was cordoned off with yellow tape for several hours as Malden building inspectors checked the structural integrity of the restaurant. Deputy Chief Buchanan noted that the building’s support columns near the door appeared intact, but further assessment is needed before reopening.

“This could have been a lot worse,” Buchanan said. “A few minutes later and the lunch crowd would have been here. We’re grateful nobody was hurt.”

Santa Fe Burrito Grill and Bar has been a neighborhood staple for more than a decade, serving tacos, burritos, and margaritas. The restaurant’s owner, who arrived on scene shortly after the crash, declined to comment but thanked emergency responders on social media.

This type of pedal-confusion crash — often called “unintended acceleration” — is a well-documented risk among elderly drivers. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers aged 85 and older have the highest fatal crash rate per mile driven among all age groups, and pedal misapplication is a common factor.

Malden city councilor Craig Spadafora, whose district includes City Hall, said he plans to raise the issue of pedestrian safety near municipal buildings. “We see a lot of parking pressure around here, especially during city meetings. We need to look at better markings or even barriers to protect storefronts.”

While no one at the restaurant was injured, the incident has shaken the local community. “It’s scary because you never expect a car to come through your wall,” said a server who was on break when the crash occurred. “I’m glad the lady is okay, but it’s going to take a while to fix both the door and our nerves.”

The restaurant’s management hopes to reopen within the week, pending a full inspection and glass replacement. In the meantime, loyal customers are being directed to the restaurant’s website and social media channels for updates.

“We’re going to get this place fixed up, and we’ll be serving burritos again soon,” Tenan said with a smile. “Right now, we’re just happy everyone walked away.”

The Malden Police Department continues to investigate. No further details are expected to be released until the crash report is finalized, which could take up to several days.

For now, a simple parking mistake has turned into a cautionary tale — and a reminder that even routine tasks can have unexpected consequences.