Suspected Drunk Driver Slams Pickup Truck Into Concord Restaurant
Video captures the terrifying moment a vehicle plowed into Chicken Thyme, forcing closure of dining rooms.
A suspected drunk driver crashed a pickup truck into a crowded California restaurant last Saturday, shattering windows and leaving customers stunned. The incident occurred around 2:10 p.m. at the Chicken Thyme restaurant in Concord.
Security camera footage shows a white truck accelerating towards the establishment before forcefully entering through its front entrance. The owner, Fraidoon Jamshed, stated the vehicle hit the curb, then "jumped up and down," before crashing into his store. At the time of the collision, seven to eight customers were inside the family-owned restaurant. Miraculously, no one was injured.
Jamshed estimated the driver was traveling between 70 and 80 miles per hour. He reported that the driver's foot remained on the accelerator after the crash, and patrons had to remove it from the pedal. The impact destroyed a 16-by-16 concrete pillar supporting the restaurant's roof.
Following the collision, the city of Concord ordered the indoor dining room at Chicken Thyme to close. Jamshed indicated that repairs could take months and urged customers to continue supporting the restaurant through takeout and delivery orders. The kitchens for Chicken Thyme, as well as two adjacent restaurants, Kabob Craze and Little Thai House, remain operational as they are located in a section of the shopping complex unaffected by the crash.
The Concord Police Department arrested a 22-year-old male driver who showed signs of intoxication. He was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Authorities have not yet released his name or details regarding any potential charges.
Chicken Thyme, a halal restaurant specializing in fried chicken and Afghan kabobs, opened in 2024.