SAN DIEGO – A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing a vehicle into a restaurant dining patio early Monday in Gaslamp Quarter, authorities said.

The incident happened around 1:44 a.m. in the 800 block of Fourth Avenue when a driver suspected to be under the influence drove into the Operacaffe’s outdoor seating area, officials with the San Diego Police Department confirmed to FOX 5.

“This would have happened during the day or early afternoon or early evening, you know, it could have been a tragedy could have been 20 people that could have been very severely injured. I’m just grateful that didn’t happen,” said Peter Morales from the Operacaffe.

The driver, whose name has not been publicly released, was taken to the hospital following the incident. The extent of their injuries is unknown, as is their current condition.

The owners said they spent the majority of the day cleaning up after the wreckage. Now, they look ahead to uncertainty during their busiest season.

“Our patio’s our biggest seller in the summertime, you know? People want to sit outside with the new COVID cases coming out, they feel safer outside,” said Morales. “We had our other tables from our first patio inside this patio and it’s all damaged, all gone… that’s a total loss.”

The matter remains under investigation by officials with SDPD.