EAST MOLINE, Illinois — A driving school student learned what not to do while taking a break from class. A video of a middle-aged woman running her van into the building of an East Moline Checkers is being shared all over social media.
The East Moline Police Department says the accident occurred around 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2016. The woman told police that she accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes. When she did hit the brakes, she claims they failed. The van also struck the east entrance of the restaurant and a main support beam.
Fifteen-year-old Bren Lawrenz took the video while he was taking a break from class with Skiles Driving School.
"When her car started revving up and she pulled forward real quick, I thought something was gonna happen, and so I pulled out my phone," said Lawrenz.
Crews were out Thursday evening to restore electricity that had been affected, and the Checkers has reopened.
The driver is not from the area and has been charged with driving under the influence. Thursday, she had already bonded out of jail.
Lawrenz says the evening provided a driver's ed lesson he'll never forget.
"Yeah, it was a good lesson in what not to do," he said.