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WATCH: Surveillance video shows driver crashing into patio of Loveland restaurant

The driver faces three charges and pleaded not guilty to all
surveillance video paxton's grill crash
Posted at 11:42 AM, May 08, 2023
and last updated 2023-05-08 18:09:02-04

LOVELAND, Ohio — A man accused of crashing a pickup truck into the patio of Paxton's Grill in Loveland, injuring three people, appeared in court on Monday for charges he faces as a result of the crash.

Tobie Ramsey, 25, faces three separate charges: one misdemeanor count of reckless operation of a vehicle, one misdemeanor count for not stopping after a crash and one felony count of inducing panic. Ramsey has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In court on Monday, a judge set Ramsey's bond at $250,000 in cash. If he makes bail, the judge ordered him not to drive.

He is currently being held in the Clermont County jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 17.

According to court documents, the crash was caused by Ramsey driving a Toyota truck "in a reckless manner, causing him to lose control." Once he lost control, he drove up the sidewalk, crashing through the patio of Paxton's Grill, hitting multiple people — three of whom were injured, but not seriously — and destroying the awning over the patio.

A dog that can be seen in the surveillance video was also ok, according to a comment written by Paxton's on their Facebook page.

WATCH: Surveillance video shows driver crashing into patio:

"After the crash, Mr. Ramsey fled the scene at a high rate of speed, placing many additional people at risk of serious injury or death and causing public inconvenience and alarm," court documents say.

Ramsey's truck collided with the patio at around 9 p.m. the night of May 5, while Paxton's was holding a Cinco de Mayo party, according to Loveland police. After the crash, police said Ramsey drove away.

A person who called 911 that night told dispatchers the driver was headed in the direction of Lebanon Road after the crash.

"I never dreamt this would happen," John Zielke, the general manager and a part owner of Paxton's Grill told WCPO Monday. "It brought me to tears."

For him, the crash was devestating.

"It was a surreal night once everybody left. The firetrucks had left and it was just us inside," Zielke said.

Another witness, Barry McFall, said he was around the corner at Narrow Path Brewing when a man ran in yelling for help.

"Somebody come running down the bike trail saying everyone needs to help and we ran," McFall said. "Everyone ran and basically we ran toward Paxton's Grill and basically seen the awning in the middle of the road."

All three people injured in the crash were taken to Bethesda North Hospital with what Loveland police called minor injuries.

Although Ramsey initially fled after the crash Friday night, Loveland police said he turned himself in at the Loveland Police Department on Sunday. He was arrested and transported to the jail at around 7:12 p.m. that evening, according to an incident report filed by Loveland police.

Despite the damage to its awning and patio space, Paxton's Grill announced on social media it still intended to open for business Saturday evening.

When staff went to open the restaurant Saturday, they found a card from a local child left on their doorstep.

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This is just one example of the community support which Zielke said includes, "Everything. 'Do you need anything?' Trying to support us by buying gift cards."

The restaurant has since resumed its normal business hours and was packed for lunch Monday, with everyone from the restaurants regulars, to those who have only been in a few times.

Richard Jones is one of the regulars.

"You see a lot of the same faces all the time, very friendly, very nice," he said.

His waitress told him the restaurant plans to rebuild the patio area, which he's glad about, especially since it's a popular spot for people to bring their dogs.

Zielke said they're considering some safety improvements, too.

"There's barricades, there's concrete flower boxes, there's all kinds of options out there," he said.

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