Two people remained in critical condition Saturday after a ride-hail vehicle with a passenger careened into a pub outside Washington, D.C. Friday evening, police said.
One additional patient was said to be in serious but stable condition, the Arlington County Police Department said in a statement Saturday.
Six people were treated at the scene in Arlington, Virginia, and six others were hospitalized and released, police said. The department's number for those who received medical attention after the crash went from 14 Friday to 15 on Saturday.
Police said it's still not clear why the vehicle plowed into the pub at a time, 6:45 p.m. Friday, that often sees crowds seeking beer and food after work. The building erupted in roaring flames following the collision.
Arlington County police said in its statement Saturday the man behind the wheel, who was not identified, was “operating as a rideshare driver” and had a paying passenger when it collided with a front portion of the Ireland’s Four Courts pub.
“He left the roadway and crashed into the restaurant,” Arlington police said in its statement Saturday.
The two people in the vehicle were part of the group of those hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, the Arlington department indicated.
An Uber spokesperson said in an emailed statement late Friday: "Our thoughts are with the driver and everyone injured in this terrible crash. We are looking into this incident and are cooperating with law enforcement on their investigation."
Police indicated they were not yet pointing fingers.
“The cause of the crash remains under active investigation and detectives continue to review evidence and speak with witnesses to determine the events that preceded the crash,” the Arlington department said.
Police on Saturday credited a quick response by officers, who evacuated patrons and rendered first-aid. They also praised the Arlington County Fire Department for quickly knocking the fire down.
Pub server Mary Reilly told NBC Washington that business at the eatery was relatively slow for a Friday night; more people could have been injured, otherwise.
"It’s the grace of God that we weren’t busy tonight," she said. "That top bar where the car went through is usually packed."
Reilly said the crash happened like an explosion, and she ran for her life. Video of the aftermath shows flames raging through the breached storefront.
Police said engineers have since inspected the pub and determined that, although there's no structural damage, it would not be able to reopen immediately.
The pub, a magnet for European soccer fans and expats, has been in business for 20 years, according to NBC Washington. It's in Arlington's Courthouse neighborhood and was named for "the Four Courts in Ireland where the High Court has resided on the banks of the River Liffey in Dublin for over 200 years," according to its Facebook page.
"Please keep the all the injured in your thoughts and prayers," The pub said in a tweet Friday night that also thanked the police and fire departments. "We are devastated."
The statement was met with dozens of responses from well-wishers, some of whom offered to help the venue recover.
