'It's all good': Uncle Harry's owner reacts after SUV crashed into bagelry
Jan 04, 2025
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The owner of Uncle Harry's New York Bagelry and Coffeehouse felt relieved no serious injuries occurred after an SUV crashed into the business on Friday morning.
Officials said the driver of the SUV meant to press on the brake and not the gas pedal.
"The store manager called, and she was just absolutely frantic. And at that moment, you don't know the situation," Owner of Uncle Harry's Wayne Rutledge said.
The SUV crashed into the bagelry with 25 people inside.
Startled customers react to car crash into Fresno bagel shop
"If it would have been 30 seconds earlier, it would have been at least two or three employees right in the middle of it," Rutledge said.
Rutledge described the moment he had with the driver of the SUV.
"There's a lot of commotion... and she was sitting over there by herself. And so I just went over and introduced myself, and she just started bawling. She was just devastated. And she apologized. And I just let her know that, you know, thank God nobody was hurt," Rutledge said.
He said Uncle Harry's has been a Fresno staple for nearly 30 years and his employees are like family.
"We're worried about them. So, some of them are working at the other stores, just helping out there and others, we're going to cover their wages and nobody's going to miss a penny," Rutledge said.
Officials said five people were treated for minor injuries and it could have been much worse.
"With over 25 people in the restaurant and a vehicle driving into it, that it's amazing that there was no one killed," Fresno Fire Department spokesperson Josh Sellers said.
"We can replace the things. But the employees weren't hurt. No staff was hurt. She wasn't hurt. And I think her husband might have been with her. So, it's all good," Rutledge said.
Rutledge said he has been working with the city and PG&E to try and reopen as early as Tuesday.