1 Dead, Several Hurt After Semi Truck Smashes Junior's Lounge: Report

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A truck driver is dead after slamming into Junior's Lounge on Salt Point Turnpike Monday morning, reports say.

State police said the driver was in a 2020 Peterbilt, pulling a dump trailer, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal, and crashed into the local bar and grill. Two sides of the building came down as the damaged building began shedding pieces after the crash, NBC4 New York reported.

The crash happened at 10:45 a.m., 15 minutes before Junior's opened, the Journal reported.

Julia Rossi, whose family owns the restaurant, said everyone got out of the building safely.

"Thank god and all of his angels above for getting every one out of the building safely (and to all of the local firefighters, officers, EMTs and all others for assisting)," she said.

Mid-Hudson News reported a woman who lived above Junior's was rescued safely. There are apartment units upstairs, local media report.

As of 6 p.m. Monday, Salt Point Turnpike is closed in both directions between Cream Street and Edgewood Drive.

Firefighters from multiple departments responded to the scene.

"If you’ve ever been to Junior's Lounge I’m sure you’ve been caught in a conversation or two about the ghosts that live there," Rossi said. My dad would always argue that they were guardian angels and today really proved it."

"My heart is being put back together from the outpouring of love we’re receiving from our Juniors family," she said. "Thank you for checking in and for the constant love and support."

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.