Driver seriously injured after car crashes into East Haven restaurant

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A driver suffered serious injuries after allegedly falling asleep behind the wheel and crashing into an East Haven restaurant Friday morning, police said. Officers and fire crews were dispatched around 5:24 a.m. to 912 Foxon Road, which houses Hot Rootah Restaurant. When crews arrived, they saw that a white SUV had rammed into the side of the building, and the driver was still trapped inside, police said. According to a preliminary investigation, police said the driver had just completed an overnight shift and fell asleep behind the wheel. Police added that it appeared he lost control of his vehicle, struck a street sign and a telephone pole, which "catapulted him" into the unoccupied building. East Haven Fire Department medics used the jaws of life to remove the person from the vehicle, police said. The driver suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Police said intoxication is not believed to be a factor. East Haven building officials evaluated the building's conditions and temporarily closed the business due to structural safety concerns, according to police. Police ask anyone with video of the incident to call 203-468-3820.