Suspected DUI driver crashes into Nubiano's in Rochester

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 9:24 AM

By Wes Dehne

A white pickup truck driven by Dalton Prater, 26, of Akron, went over a curb and wrecked into the restaurant at Race and Ninth streets Tuesday night, according to police records.

Nubiano's Pizza in Rochester will be closed until further notice after a truck was driven into the restaurant Tuesday night, its owners stated on social media.

"Thankfully none of our employees were in the building. Thank you to the Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Police Department, Sheriff’s department and the State Police. We owe you guys a pizza when we get back up and running. We will keep all of our customers updated as we go through this," their post reads.

According to police records, a white pickup truck driven by Dalton Prater, 26, of Akron, went over a curb and wrecked into the restaurant at Race and Ninth streets around 9:40 p.m.

Police records also indicate that Prater was intoxicated at the time of the crash. He was checked by medics at the scene and subsequently transported to Woodlawn Hospital. It was additionally reported that he was unconscious roughly 20 minutes after the crash.

In responding to the crash, emergency personnel made contact with Duke Energy and NIPSCO to shut off power and gas to the building, respectively. The owners also were notified, and a wrecker service was contacted for Prater's truck.

One online commenter said the truck went through a wall, a refrigerator, shelving, a prep cooler and sink before moving a 1,000-pound oven and hood. Most were just thankful that no one was inside the restaurant at the time of crash, noting the outcome could have been much worse.

A woman later called police to report that the truck was following her at a high rate of speed. Scared, she reportedly pulled over to let Prater pass and that's when he crashed. She provided her contact information if police needed to speak with her.

The crash remains under the investigation of the Indiana State Police.