CONWAY — No one was injured Saturday morning except the steer replica after a local teenager crashed a pickup truck into the Merlino’s Family Steakhouse sign.
Meanwhile, Conway’s police chief says no charges will be filed in the accident.
Merlino’s is located at 1717 White Mountain Highway on the North Conway Strip near Market Basket and Settlers Green Streetside.
Although the steer was tipped over in the crash, it will be repaired, along with the rest of the sign and reinstalled, according to the restaurant’s general manager.
On Monday, Police Chief Chris Mattei said at this point no charges are contemplated to be filed against the driver, whom he identified as a 16-year-old boy from Center Conway. He said the single-vehicle crash occurred at around 8:37 a.m.
“He claimed that he hydroplaned,” said Mattei, adding, “He will have enough with the totaled truck and paying for the sign to deal with.”
The weather was rainy at the time. Pictures of the crash show the pickup was a Chevy Silverado.
Angelique Sawyer took a photo of the crash and shared it with the Sun.
“I figured rain must have played a factor but I still could not fathom how someone was traveling with enough speed to do that kind of damage in the middle of town on a Saturday morning,” she said. “I was shocked to see how the cab of the truck had separated from the bed. As a local landmark, I’m hoping the sign can be repaired, but most importantly, I’m hoping all involved are OK.”
Bob Bryant Wrecker Service towed the truck from the scene.
Asked about the steer, Merlino’s General Manager James Luciano said Monday, “It’s been there since before the Luciano family owned it, and we bought it in 1967.” The restaurant’s tagline is “at the landmark ‘Sign of the Steer.’”
Luciano said the family plans to put the steer back up and give the sign a more modern look. “The cow, we’re hoping, will make a full recovery,” said Luciano. “It’ll remain a staple in the valley, that’s for sure.”
The stately bovine lost a leg but it is repairable. Luciano said the sign is grandfathered and they will be working to get a sign and the steer back up. “We have all the parts to fix it,” said Luciano.
The driver is insured, and Luciano said he doesn’t anticipate any snags with the insurance claim.
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