Man sues driver in Denny’s crash

WILKES-BARRE — A man who was injured when an allegedly drunken driver crashed a vehicle into the Denny’s Restaurant on Kidder Street has filed a lawsuit against the driver and a woman who rented the vehicle.

Dennis Thacker and his wife, Anna, of Rinker Road, Northampton, are seeking damages from Alrick Taylor for injuries Dennis Thacker suffered in the Jan. 14 crash.

The suit, filed by attorney Michael Cefalo, says Dennis Thacker was seated at a table at Denny’s when Taylor, driving a rented Ford Escape, veered across several lanes of traffic on Kidder Street and slammed into the side of the building.

Thacker was pinned under a table that collapsed, causing him to suffer four broken bones in his left foot, a crushed left heel, ligament tear and rib injury.

Taylor, 22, of Brooklyn, N.Y., did not have a driver’s license, police said. Police suspect he was under the influence of alcohol.

Taylor was charged on Feb. 7 with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, accidents involving injury, driving under the influence, driving without a license, trespass by vehicle and three traffic citations.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages from Taylor and Roman.