Flying Burrito owners give update after vehicle drives into restaurant

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The owners of Flying Burrito on College Avenue in Fayetteville gave an update on May 1 on the state of its injured employee and damaged building after a vehicle drove into the restaurant on April 30.

According to Sgt. Steven Mauk with the Fayetteville Police Department, a multiple-vehicle crash on College Avenue sent one vehicle off the road and into the restaurant drive-thru area. An employee in that part of the building was pinned, creating a complex rescue for the Fayetteville Fire Department.

Owners Mike and Jill Rohrbach say in an email to KNWA/FOX24 the employee injured in the crash needed 26 stitches in her leg and has a lot of scrapes and bruising. She was pinned by the vehicle and under debris that fell on her.

The owners say the parent company, Mathias Properties was on the scene to help secure the building. The Rohrbachs say the power is back on but there is no water or gas.

Battalion Chief Travis Boudrey said they cut off the utilities after the crash and firefighters were able to get to the employee through the window.

The restaurant is closed, but The Rohrbachs say they are hopeful that they can resume business soon since the damage was mainly done to the drive-through portion of the building. They say they do not have a time frame for when the restaurant will reopen.

The Rohrbachs say they will keep their customers up to date through the restaurant’s Facebook page .

The Rohrbachs say they are still catering by using the kitchen from Bocca Italian Eatery & Pizzeria, another restaurant they own.

“It’s a small kitchen to prep for two different restaurants, but we are making it work,” the Rohrbachs said.

The Rohrbachs say they are thankful their employee will be okay and that no one was severely hurt in the accident.

“We truly appreciate the outpouring of offers to assist us in getting reopened and the love we are feeling from customers who have been reaching out!” the Rohrbachs said. “We are taking it all in stride at the moment while we see what the repair and recovery process looks like. Our focus is also to take care of all of our customers that have ordered catering. We know many of them are depending on us for their graduation celebration events.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.