Ruskin, Florida -- Crews are using a crane to remove a boat that crashed into a beach restaurant in Ruskin earlier this week.
The 39-foot boat has been stuck inside the Sunset Grill at Little Harbor restaurant ever since it ran aground and barreled into the building Monday night. The boat captain, Matthew Santiago, said he couldn't see shore because of dense sea fog. He has been cited for reckless operation.
Officials waited until Wednesday before removing the boat, as crews first had to stabilize the restaurant's roof.
Customer Laura Bailey tells 10 News that she had been sitting outside at the Sunset Grill with her family having dinner, when the boat appeared out of the dense fog and ran right into the restaurant - just feet away.
"The boat just emerged from the fog going 50 miles per hour," says Bailey. "They just had enough time to brace themselves. They didn't turn off the engine. They didn't try to slow down at all and I just ran right into the shore," Bailey says.
Two people suffered minor injuries in the crash.
