SUV Driver Injured After Crashing Into Waffle House Near Southgate Plaza

A Lakeland man was cited for careless driving after he crashed his 2022 Nissan SUV into the Waffle House at 2312 S. Florida Ave. around 1 a.m. today. Repair crews were on site within hours, assessing the damage and covering the gaping hole where a glass door had been.

David Hurley, 65 — the only occupant of the vehicle — was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Lakeland Police Department spokeswoman Stephanie Kerr said Hurley was parked when “for unknown reasons he drove over the grass and curb, traveled across the roadway, entered the Waffle House parking lot and struck the building.”

Police said Hurley was disoriented and unaware he was in a vehicle crash. In addition to careless driving, he was also charged with driving while his license was suspended.

No other injuries were reported.