Stockton, Calif. — El Rancho Inn Steak & Lobster, a cherished family-owned restaurant with roots dating back to 1939, is grappling with the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision that left the establishment severely damaged.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, when an unidentified driver crashed a Dodge Ram pickup truck through the wall of the iconic restaurant, according to Stockton police. Shockingly, surveillance footage reveals the truck losing control before violently colliding with the building, with the driver fleeing the scene minutes later.
Cassandra Lacondeguy, daughter of Ray Lacondeguy who has owned El Rancho Inn since the 1980s, expressed the profound impact of the incident. "One action changed the course of a lot of people’s lives," she remarked.
The restaurant, which has witnessed decades of history and become a staple in the community, miraculously had no occupants inside during the collision, leading to no reported injuries. However, the emotional toll on the Lacondeguy family has been substantial.
The surveillance video captures the driver casually walking away from the wreckage, leaving behind a scene that holds immense sentimental value for the community. "Walks out like it's nothing, and this is my father's entire life," Lacondeguy lamented.
While the Lacondeguy family is navigating the process of working with their insurance company and the city to determine a reopening timeline, the future remains uncertain. "A lot of people have made a lot of memories here, and, if we can come back from this, what that looks like we don’t know," Lacondeguy added.
As the community rallies behind El Rancho Inn Steak & Lobster, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of cherished local establishments.
Luke Cleary contributed to this report.