Restaurant fundraises to help victims after 6 injured when stolen car crashes into outdoor patio

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Six outdoor diners were hurt when a stolen car jumped a curb and crashed into a Near North Side restaurant late Friday night, the Chicago Fire Department said.

"It was shocking, but I'm really happy with how everyone handled the situation the best way they could," said Jeffrey Magee, the assistant general manager of Uproar.

Customer service at Uproar came second this Saturday evening because Magee said he wants to make sure his employees are the ones well taken care of.

"We brought in a grievance counselor to talk to our staff," Magee added. "I want our staff to feel like this place is a home. That's kind of our mantra, like many places. We are a family. But, we really do function as a family."

According to Chicago police, it happened around 10:30 p.m. as the driver of silver Lexus sedan was trying to pass up a Toyota Prius southbound in the 1200-block of North Wells Street.

The Lexus clipped the Toyota, lost control, jumped the curb and came onto the sidewalk before crashing into the restaurant, CPD said.

Video of the scene shows the vehicle smashed into Uproar's outdoor patio and front door.

Four patrons and two employees were placed on stretchers and taken to the hospital.

Police said two women had broken legs as the business' front door was left shattered.

"We saw all of our staff run out, do whatever they had to do pick somebody up, help somebody on the ground," Magee

Everyone is expected to be okay.

Fire officials said the driver of the car ran away.

"I immediately got in my car and I chased them! They ran through the park. I drove through the park," said one witness.

While an open sign sits in front the damage left behind, even to the next door building, owners said they are now raising funds to support the victims who are left with both physical and emotional damage.

"Just to know that the place is loved and our staff is loved, our staff is loved and everyone is just really concerned. I think, not that it fixes wounds, but it definitely fixes a little bit of mental health," Magee said.

In just one day, the fundraiser has already surpassed $23,000.

Police tell us the driver of the Prius was not hurt while they are still searching for the suspect.