Car crashes into motorcycles at Sonic Drive-In, bystanders scatter

The Chevy Cavalier is pictured where it finally stopped, in front of the patio at Sonic Drive-In on Highway 51 bypass. The car left the highway and jumped the curb before crashing into the motorcycles below. The car missed the motorcycle, facing sideways on the right, by mere inches according to a bystander. The motorcycle to the left, with the helmet next to it, was knocked over also.

A number of bikers had gathered at Sonic to eat and display their bikes before the crash happened.

Tony Reed, of Newbern, was sitting on the patio when the crash occurred.

"We were all sitting over there eating and we heard tires squealing and looked up and the car was airborne for about 15 or 20 feet," said Reed. "Then it just came down through, taking out motorcycles."

Reed said the car kept picking up speed until it hit the motorcycles.

"We all spread both ways and luckily no one was hurt and the lady that was driving wasn't hurt," said Reed. "It was pretty freaky."

As there are not many places to take cover when a car is heading into a crowd, Reed spotted the one safe location.

"The only thing we had going for us, when she started taking them out, was the big pole there," said Reed, pointing to a support pole in front of the patio tables. "I thought, 'that will save us'.

Reed estimates there was almost $90,000 worth of damage done to four motorcycles. He owns a Harley Davidson Road King that was damaged in the crash.

"I've probably got in the neighborhood of $10,000 or $12,000 worth of damage to mine," said Reed. " That is if it didn't bend the frame, but I think it bent the frame."

Reed said if the frame is bent the bike would be totaled.

Bunny Bailey is a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association and owns one of the motorcycles that was damaged.

"The first thing I said was, 'she was aiming for the red one'," said Bailey jokingly.

T.R. Welch stands next to his Harley Davidson Springer that was hit during Thursday evening's crash at Sonic Drive-In. Welch is unsure if his bike is repairable.

T.R Welch said he was looking at a motorcycle when the car came close to him before hitting the bikes. He owns a Harley Davidson Springer that was damaged.

"If it hadn't hit these motorcycles it probably would have ended up in here and tore some people up." Welch doesn't know if his bike is repairable or not.

It is not known if the driver of the Cavalier faces any charges at this time.

The accident is being investigated by the Dyersburg Police Department.