KINSMAN TWP., Ohio (WKBN) – A semi truck hit a pole Friday morning at the intersection of Route 5 and Route 7 in Kinsman, downing power lines.
It happened around 5:30 a.m.
Part of that pole hit the Times Square Restaurant. No one was hurt, but it interrupted electric service for about 300 customers but no injuries were reported.
Restaurant owner Carol Wilson was at the scene this morning and says it could have been worse.
“Got a call this morning. A semi went through the intersection of Route 7 and 5, and went through my restaurant,” said Carol Wilson, owner of the restaurant.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the driver wasn’t familiar with the area and tried to stop.
“The driver did a very good job. He went right in between both buildings but hit the poles and very minimal damage,” Wilson.
She said she is thankful the damage wasn’t severe.
“The restaurant is a historical icon. It’s one of the oldest restaurants still operating in Trumbull County,” she said. “Multiple incidents have happened to this little restaurant over the past 85 years.”
Wilson said Alice Blaemire, a home economics teacher, started Times Square Restaurant in 1946.
“At 20 years old, started the restaurant and it’s been open ever since. Multiple times cars hit, accidents hit and it’s still standing, and we went through another hit.”
A short time after the crash, First Energy crews arrived and worked to install a new pole.
The area will be closed for the time being.
At one point, over 300 people were without power in Kinsman Township, according to FirstEnergy. As of around 11:30 a.m., only a couple dozen remained without power.
Caitlynn Hall and Wilson Corbisello contributed to this report.