Gas line bursts in car crash in Warwick

WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) — Scary moments on Saturday afternoon when a car crashed into several other vehicles, pushing them into the back of a restaurant before coming to a stop. A gas line was ruptured in the process.

Warwick Police responded to the reported accident at Sam's Inn at 2227 West Shore Road around 2:40 p.m.

Investigators say a 2013 Lexus driven by a 24-year-old woman collided with an occupied vehicle in front of the Shell gas station on West Shore Road. The Lexus then struck an unoccupied vehicle in the gas station parking lot but continued into the Sam's Inn parking lot.

According to police, the Lexus then collided with two unoccupied vehicles in this parking lot before colliding with the Sam's Inn refrigeration unit.

Neither driver suffered any significant injuries, but the 24-year-old driver of the Lexus was taken to Kent County Memorial Hospital as a precaution.

Rhode Island Energy workers had to cut open a large section of Yates Road to repair a gas line damaged in the accident.

All restaurant employees and guests have been evacuated and Sam's Inn remains closed.

Eyewitnesses pointed out that on nice days like today, restaurant guests often come out to smoke. One told NBC 10: “Everyone is so lucky that no one died here today.”

Traffic on West Shore Road is flowing normally and the Shell gas station remains fully operational.

No charges were filed.