CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — It might be miraculous that the seats inside Athens Restaurant in Cheektowaga were empty as a car slammed into the side of the building Tuesday afternoon.

"We had a large group, they come in every Tuesday, they just left about a half hour before that happened," said long-time server Deborah Fazzio. 

Athens General Manager Jason Mucha says a driver was pulling into a parking spot when his foot slipped off the brake and hit the gas.

"At that point we heard a large bang and realized someone had driven through the windows," said Mucha. 

Cheektowaga Police say no charges were filed against the 30-year-old driver since it was an accident.

"After it happened, he was standing around, he looked a little shaken obviously, but he took a broom and he was helping sweep up some of the glass. At least he was being helpful," said Mucha.

Aside from some refunded lunches, insurance will likely cover the cost of the damage, but this isn't an unfamiliar situation for the staff at Athens.

Fazzio's been waitressing for 29 years and says this is at least the fifth time someone has hit the building with their car, but this was by far the worst one.

"I was standing taking an order and a lady happened to not stop at the entrance way and she went right through the front doors. That was pretty bad we thought, then," said Fazzio.

While most patrons may opt to sit away from the windows, Athens is still open and serving customers.

"It takes a lot for us to close," said Fazzio.