Minor injuries after a car crashes into Leitrim's Pub in Worcester

WORCESTER — The owner of Leitrim's Pub on Park Avenue is not sure he can open for business after a car slammed into the establishment Saturday morning.

“I guess the car missed a turn and decided to hit the building,” said owner Vincent Mineo, who was left with a hole in the Pleasant Street side of his restaurant and bar.

The car struck the establishment after crashing with another car in the busy city intersection. The car was stuck in the building when officers arrived. It was removed, and both cars were towed away.

Firefighters received a call at 10:09 a.m. about the crash at 265 Park Ave.

Minor injuries were sustained by the occupants in both cars, said Acting Deputy Fire Chief Adam Roche. Worcester EMS provided treatment at the scene.

The identities of the people involved in the crash are unknown.

The car that hit the building had no passengers. One passenger was in the other car.

Both vehicles were sedans — one a Ford, and Roche said firefighters aren't certain of the make of the other car.

Contractors hired by Mineo are fixing the damage, said Chris Spencer, the city's commissioner of inspectional services. A city inspector was expected to review the work on Saturday to determine if the building is structurally sound and if the business can open.

"I don't think this is anything so bad that the business is not in a position in a night or a couple of nights to be back open," said Spencer.

Residents living in apartments above the pub don't need to be evacuated, based on a city inspector's review, Roche said.

“Luckily, nobody was hurt, which is important,” Mineo said. “Lucky for the building, everything is stable. Nothing structurally is damaged. It’s just superficial.”

The building inspector said the pub could open on Saturday, according to Mineo. But it depends on whether the hole can be patched up before customers arrive.

“I have to get the hole on one side of the building straightened out. I’m not sure there’s enough time to do it," Mineo said.

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Park Avenue crash sends car into Worcester pub