FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A Federal Way Jack-in-the-Box went up in flames after a driver crashed into the restaurant early Friday morning.
The accident happened at a location on Pacific Highway South and South 312th Street just after 1 a.m.
The driver in the incident was fleeing from a traffic stop at the time it crashed into the restaurant, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
The driver and two passengers fled the scene. The car had been reported stolen, according to WSP.
Devyn Childs was across the street when it happened, “We had been hearing cars speeding all night so it wasn’t out of the ordinary.”
He heard a crash and flash of red light and immediately called 9-1-1. “So a few minutes later it combusted and turned into a giant fireball in the building and after a while with the firefighters, all you see is black smoke.”
Witnesses at the scene said crews were able to knock the fire down quickly. However, the restaurant sustained major damage from both the crash and the fire.
“There’s big challenges with crime in the state of Washington. The legislature needs to address it more, here in Federal Way, we have increased the size of our police force by nearly 10%,” said Jack Walsh who is a Federal Way City Councilmember. He also owns a business about a block down from where the crash occurred, “Things like this can be devastating for small businesses.”
Employees spent the day salvaging what they could as community members came by to look at the destruction. “We were driving by and it was just fine the other day,” said Federal Way Resident Bryson Buchanan who Wonders how bad the damage is and what will happen to the workers. “I feel bad for the workers that had a job here because I know jobs are hard to get now.”
Childs said the fast food chain has been hit by crime recently, and he’s glad no one was inside at the time, “Could have been a lot worse.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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