By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

Waffle House does not offer drive-through services, but on Jan. 19, it may as well have.

Around 11:50 p.m. on Jan. 19, a white 2016 Chevrolet Spark plowed into the Clanton Exit 205 Waffle House lobby, destroying the entrance and creating quite a mess for staff to clean up.

“Upon my arrival, I observed the vehicle inside the Waffle House,” a Clanton Police Department officer stated in his report of the incident.

Two individuals, a 16-year-old male and a 56-year-old female, suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to St. Vincent’s Chilton and released the following day, according to CPD.

The driver of the vehicle was reportedly intoxicated, admitting to having consumed three to four alcoholic beverages but refusing a breathalyzer test.

Nina Keller, 75, of Billingsley is charged with driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and assault.

Now mere days after the incident, Waffle House is already back in business serving customers.

“Our operations team prides itself on reacting to situations quickly,” Pat Warner of Waffle House Inc. said. “Our division manager and area manager were both involved from the start to help expedite the repairs so we could open quickly.”

The entrance area is currently structured with plywood and a temporary door.

“At this time, we do not have a firm date on when all the repairs will be completed,” Warner said.

“We are very glad no one was [seriously] injured,” Warner said. “This was an unusual event at the restaurant and fortunately no one was hurt.”

Waffle House is located at 2230 Seventh Street South in Clanton.