Manahawkin Man Drives Through Front Door Of TGI Fridays, Says Brakes Failed

Diners eating lunch at TGI Fridays recently undoubtedly got a surprise when a silver Mercury Mountaineer crashed through the front door of the restaurant shortly after noon.

Stafford police responded to the restaurant at 12:15 p.m. on Sept. 16 on a report a vehicle stuck in the front vestibule, Patrolman Christopher Fritz said.

Officer Robert Mullin was the first officer on scene. The vehicle was lodged between the frame of the glass doors and was covered with glass and debris, he said.

The driver, Dillon Thiverge, 19, Manahawkin, was trapped in the vehicle., Members of the Stafford Fire Department helped him out of the vehicle’s back hatch, Fritz said.

Stafford EMS checked him out, but Thiverge did not appear to be injured. He told police his brakes had failed. South Shore Towing responded and pulled the vehicle out of the restaurant, Fritz said.

Officers Joe Luna and Marisa Lawrence assisted.