Fiery crash into Wesley Chapel Panera Bread hospitalizes driver

The 36-year-old driver crossed a median and hit a parked car before crashing into the building, according to FHP.

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — A driver suffered minor injuries Friday morning after crashing into a Panera Bread in Wesley Chapel, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

It happened just before 7 a.m. at the Shoppes at Wiregrass on Willet Way. 

Troopers said a 36-year-old man from Georgia was driving his 2019 Kia Rio eastbound on State Road 56 when he lost control of his car and crossed the median into the westbound lanes.

The driver entered the Panera Bread parking lot, hitting a parked car before crashing into the building, FHP added. The crash caused the car to catch fire. 

Firefighters said they were able to "knock" the fire out before the driver was taken to the hospital. 

He suffered minor injuries and no one else was hurt.

FHP did not say what caused the crash.

#ALERT: VEHICLE CRASH | WESLEY CHAPEL | 28300 BLK OF WILLET WAY (SHOPPES AT WIREGRASS): A single-vehicle crash into the Panera Bread. After crashing, the vehicle caught on fire. Firefighters knocked the fire down, and the driver was transported to the hospital. No other injuries

— Pasco Fire Rescue (@PascoFireRescue) March 17, 2023