12-05-2025
Buffet Star forced to close after SUV smashes through building
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – More than a dozen people are lucky to be alive after a car crashed into the Buffet Star restaurant in Vestal over the weekend.
The crash occurred Saturday afternoon as a red SUV smashed through a doorway on the west side of the building at a high rate of speed.
Several diners were injured as they dove and scrambled to get out of the way of the vehicle, which struck the building with such force to dislodge concrete blocks around the doorway.
Local photographer Yohance Bailey was one of those diners, who was eating with family members at a table right next to where the SUV came to a stop. He tells News 34 he barely had time to react and injured his knee, shin, and lower back.
Bailey went to the hospital today for testing. He says his sister has a fractured leg, and he saw another woman being taken from the scene in an ambulance with a neck brace.
A manager at the restaurant says it was extremely fortunate that no one was killed, as a large group of diners had just vacated a table in the area where the vehicle came in.
Buffet Star had just held its grand reopening on Friday following a lengthy closure, and the manager says it was packed that opening day.
A Vestal town official tells News 34 that a structural assessment will need to be made to ensure the safety of the building and repairs will have to be completed before the Asian restaurant can reopen once again.
Vestal Police tell News 34 that the investigation is ongoing.
Buffet Star forced to close after SUV smashes through building
Rite Aid customer deadline for returns, rewards 'approaching fast' amid bankruptcy
Tioga Downs salutes veterans with annual benefit concert
'Healthy Broome' offering free medical services to Broome County residents
U.S. and China announce deal to cut tariffs
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
