SUV slams into low wall in front of Denny’s in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa police and fire crews worked to remove an SUV that was stuck on the grass area at the Denny’s on Harbor Boulevard Tuesday morning.

Paramedics and firefighters responded to the Denny’s at 3170 Harbor Blvd. at 10:27 a.m. after receiving reports that a woman had backed her vehicle into the side of the building, said Costa Mesa Fire Capt. Rob Gagne.

Witnesses said the woman was backing her vehicle out of a parking space when the SUV suddenly went up over the low brick wall on the side of the restaurant.

The vehicle stopped when it hit the side of a wall that juts out to create an enclave, preventing the vehicle from slamming through the large glass window in the dining area.

The woman, who officials estimate is in her 60s, was taken via ambulance to Western Medical Center for treatment of neck and back injuries, Gagne said.

A tow truck pulled the black Acura SUV, which still had a red handicap placard hanging from the rearview mirror, from the grassy area.

Large portions of the low brick wall crumbled during the removal. Several electrical wires were exposed.

Officials said they will investigate the accident’s cause.

Denny’s manager Steve Munib was inside the restaurant when he saw the SUV heading right for the dining area.

“I really thought it was going to break the window and end up in the restaurant,” he said.

A damage estimate was not immediately available.