Teenager will work off damage to Jackson drive-in

The teen responsible for the June 17 accident at Wib's Drive-In has come forward and admitted to the crash that caused considerable damage to the Jackson restaurant.

He approached Judy and A.D. Hoffman, owners of the restaurant, with his parents Saturday, Judy Hoffman said.

"The young man apologized to us and agreed to work off the damages," Judy Hoffman said. His parents were upset with him, she said.

A.D. Hoffman discovered the damage June 17. He left the drive-in about 8:15 p.m. and returned an hour later to discover the wall near the front entrance had been hit by some sort of vehicle.

Judy Hoffman said the teen's parents noticed the damage to their son's truck and asked him about it. He eventually admitted to backing into the wall at Wib's by accident while trying to turn around in the parking lot.

He told the Hoffmans he'd glanced over his shoulder before leaving and didn't think he'd caused any damage.

His parents provided the Hoffmans with their insurance information, and the teen gave a statement to Jackson police.

Lt. Rodney Barnes, spokesman for the Jackson police, said the incident was settled and no arrests were made.

Plans are still being drawn up to repair the damage and erect a temporary wall, Judy Hoffman said.

"It's going to be a long process," she said.

The crash knocked one of the tables away from the a wall and into the center of the dining area.

On the outside, the concrete wall had large cracks. The windows were not broken, but the Hoffmans were told the windows could break if builders tried to relieve pressure on the bowed wall. The front door of the restaurant will not open.

The damage was estimated at between $25,000 and $26,000.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245