Bend’s IHOP sign almost taken out in early-AM crash; minor injuries to driver, 80; restaurant set to close in June

(Update: Adding video; restaurant closes June 21, manager explains reason)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – An 80-year-old Bend man likely fell asleep at the wheel early Saturday morning when he drifted across Northeast Third Street and struck a large IHOP Restaurant sign. Police said he sustained minor injuries and got a ticket after the SUV caused major damage but did not totally topple the sign.

Officers responded shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday to the reported Third Street crash, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

Witnesses said the driver was heading south on Third Street at the wheel of a Ford Excursion when he drifted into the northbound lanes and hit the sign.

“He was not speeding, and officers found no evidence that he was impaired but likely fell asleep behind the wheel,” Miller said.

The driver was taken to St. Charles for treatment of what Miller said were minor injuries. He also was cited for driving with a suspended license and without insurance.

IHOP Bend Manager Joe Crist said Monday he learned what happened when he showed up for work around 8 a.m. Saturday.

“I just rolled up and saw it,” Crist said. “There was a police report showing the person didn’t have insurance, so not sure what’s going to happen” in terms of repairs or replacement.

Fortunately, the restaurant building itself was not struck by the SUV, so Bend's IHOP was still serving up breakfast and lunch as usual, he said.

However, it appears the other sign still standing out front - FOR LEASE - shows that won't be for long, as Crist confirmed the restaurant will be closing June 21.

"Our lease is up," he said, "and the owners of the building are raising it significantly, which we are unable to pay because this location hasn’t been doing well since the pandemic." 

Fratzke Commercial has the stand-alone building available for lease, as of July 1, with options to continue as a restaurant or retail or medical office space, under the zoning of that corner.

It’s also fortunate that neither the driver nor anyone else was seriously hurt in the crash, likely thanks to the wee-hours timing.

That could open the door for some to a bit of IHOP word humor, such as I-CRASH - or as Crist suggested: “I-LEAN” (Eileen).