ROSEMOUNT - Deb and Michael Geehan didn't pay their dinner bill at Celts Bar and Grill Saturday night. They didn't get the chance to settle up before they left in an ambulance.
The Rosemount couple was injured when another Rosemount resident, 50-year-old Leeann Rolf, drove her car into the restaurant shortly before 8 p.m. The Minnesota State Patrol suspects Rolf was chemically impaired at the time of the accident.
Deb said felt bad about skipping out on their bill so she called on Monday to settle up. The staff at the restaurant told her not to worry about it.
Elizabeth Wright and her 2-year-old daughter Hailey also were injured when Rolf's Chrysler Concorde came through into the restaurant's north glass doors.
While the Minnesota State Patrol is still putting together the evidence they know Rolf was traveling south on Highway 3 when she failed to stop for a sign at the 145th Street intersection. She then ran off the road and crashed into the restaurant. The car was halfway into the restaurant when it stopped about two feet from the Geehans' table.
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"It sounded like a bomb had gone off. Something had exploded, but you don't know. There's just total chaos," Deb Geehan said.
State Patrol information officer Eric Roeske said a blood test has been done to determine what caused the Rolf to drive off the road.
"We don't think it was alcohol but we do suspect impairment," Roeske said.
Rolf has two prior DWI incidents on her record. She was convicted in 1994 and 1999.
The Geehans and Rolf were transported to Regions Hospital. Deb spent the night. Michael went home after being treated.
Rolf spent at least one night in the hospital. The Wrights were treated on the scene and released.
Deb had a deep bruise on her back from a table hitting her. Glass from the door cut Michael's face, including a cut to his cornea.
"We're sore. We're black and blue. We're cut but we're alive. We're good," said Deb.
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Deb, who tore her Achilles tendon seven weeks ago, said she and her husband were out to dinner celebrating her recovery and watching the Twins game. She said the waitress had just walked up to the table when the car came through the doors.
Deb said people at the bar told her a table hit her from behind and threw her. Michael, who was facing the window, was thrown backwards.
"I don't think we even really knew what happened. You can't even think of, what the heck, why is there a car in here?" Deb said.
On top of it all the Twins lost, she said.
Deb said she and her husband plan to go back to the restaurant to finish their celebration. But they probably won't sit by the window.
There is construction in the area and the stop lights have been removed, replaced by four-way stop signs. Officials do not believe that had anything to do with the accident.
Roeske said it will take several weeks to get results from the blood test back. After the investigation is complete, the case will be handed over to the Dakota County Attorney's office for possible charges.
