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This story was updated on Sunday, Jan. 26, with additional information provided by police.
The Farmingdale community and beyond have rushed in to support the family who own a Chinese restaurant that was crashed into and significantly damaged by two cars Friday night.
More than 700 donations to help the Chen family have flooded into a GoFundMe fundraising page established within hours of the 9:35 p.m. crash.
A Massaapequa woman driving drunk in a 2011 Mercedes Benz and heading north on North Broadway left the road and collided with a parked 2018 Toyota, sending both cars careening into the Boundary Plaza’s Great Wall restaurant, police said.
Nassau Police said the driver of the Mercedes, Lauren Potter, 39, is charged with DWI and assault third degree. She injured her ankle and complained of chest pain, cops said. She will be arraigned on the charges when medically practical, police said.
A 51-year-old female customer of Great Wall suffered a laceration to her right hand.
Information provided on the GoFundMe page indicates that members of the Chen family were at work during the crash and that some of them suffered minor injuries. The restaurant — owned and operated by the Chens for over two decades — sustained significant damage.
So far, the giving on the GoFundMe page is over $17,000.
You can click here to contribute to the fundraising effort for the Chen family.
“The Chen family is an incredibly hard-working family and has overcome already significant challenges, including significant sales setbacks of 75% during the COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote Blue Kim, who established the GoFundMe page.
“As they navigate the aftermath of this horrific disaster, from medical recovery to the gargantuan task of reviving their beloved restaurant, we ask for your support as they will be unable to earn income from their restaurant during this time.”
Top photo: via GoFundMe.
