San Diego

Car Ends Up in National City Bar After Driver Accidentally Reverses

A car wound up inside a National City sports bar after a woman accidentally hit the gas and crashed backward into the building Friday morning, destabilizing the building, officials said.

The woman was not suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she backed into the N City Sports Lounge on Sweetwater Road near the Interstate 805 and state Route 54 interchange at about 5:45 a.m.

"It appears to be accidental but we don’t the full details," a National City Fire Department Acting Captain Chris Duron said. 

She told NBC 7 she had backed out of a parking space and was getting ready to turn on Sweetwater Road when the crash happened. She was shaken but uninjured in the crash. 

The car ended up inside the bar facing the front entrance, which was heavily damaged and lined with caution tape. A building inspector said the building was uninhabitable. 

"We did have to red tag the building because it is a structural member that’s supporting a beam. It’s unsafe for occupancy at this time," Duron said. 

NCFD removed the car from the building.

Next, they would help the owner find a contractor who could re-stabilize the structure. The building will remain closed until that time. 

The owner spoke with NBC 7 and said he hopes to reopen in a few weeks but the amount of repairs needed may determine the exact date. 

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