Fiery crash destroys popular Delaware beach eatery

Ed’s Chicken and Crabs restaurant was destroyed after a car crashed into the Dewey Beach eatery early Tuesday morning.

“There has been a terrible accident.” That’s how the crash was described in a post on the Ed’s Chicken and Crab’s Facebook page this morning.

Dewey Beach Police said the fire ignited after a woman drove her 2013 Mini Cooper into the restaurant, striking a propane line. The woman was rescued from her vehicle when Dewey Beach police officers along with a State Trooper broke the drivers side window to get her out. The building caught fire shortly after she was removed from the car.

The fire eventually engulfed the entire building, which is presumed to be a complete loss.

The driver of the car has been identified as 36-year-old Michelle Small of Wyoming, DE. Police said she’s been charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and other driving offenses. They said she was driving at a high rate of speed and crossed the center median about half a block before crashing into the restaurant.

After being rescued from the car and treated by firefighters for minor injuries, she was turned over to the Dewey Beach Police. While in their custody, Small became unresponsive and was taken to Beebe Medical Center.

While Ed’s certainly wasn’t a fancy, fine dining restaurant, many online reviewers said it was a “must-visit” spot during a trip to Dewey.