Early Friday, a driver turned Bittersweet’s cozy downtown Raleigh patio into a crash scene, slamming a car into the outdoor seating area and then taking off. The popular cocktail and dessert lounge sits just off Fayetteville Street, where officers were called around 1:50 a.m. Crews quickly cordoned off the damaged patio, and while no one was hurt, the car came unnervingly close to several propane tanks stored outside the business.
Raleigh police are treating the wreck as a hit-and-run. Officers responding around 1:50 a.m. found the patio damaged and the driver gone, according to Raleigh News & Observer reporting. East Martin Street was temporarily blocked off while investigators and city crews checked the patio and sidewalk for structural and safety issues.
One of Bittersweet’s owners told ABC11 off camera they were just grateful no one happened to be sitting outside at the time. By daylight Friday, caution tape still wrapped the patio as staff and contractors swept up debris and started repairs.
Close Call Near Propane Tanks Has Folks On Edge
The crash came within feet of several propane tanks outside the building, a detail that ratcheted up anxiety among employees and bystanders, according to Raleigh News & Observer coverage. City inspectors and nearby business owners noted that if a tank had been hit, the situation could have escalated into a serious fire risk as crews worked the scene.
Downtown Patios Keep Getting Hit
This is not the first time a downtown Raleigh restaurant has had its outdoor dining wiped out by a vehicle. In June 2024, a driver crashed into the patio at Budacai on East Martin Street, showing just how fast a car can jump a curb and slam into a street-facing restaurant, as reported by WRAL. That incident and others around the Triangle have pushed restaurant operators to talk more seriously about beefing up protections for busy sidewalks and patios.
Experts Say Bollards And Barriers Can Save Lives
Design and safety guidance points to sturdy physical barriers as one of the few reliable defenses against cars crashing into pedestrian spaces. Features like crash-rated bollards, reinforced planters or heavy-duty fencing can help shield outdoor dining areas from vehicles, according to the Whole Building Design Guide. The upfront cost can sting, but planners and owners note that it is still cheaper than dealing with the fallout from a catastrophic crash…