Skipper’s reopens after driver crashes into restaurant

North Spokane restaurant Skipper’s Fish and Chips reopened Monday afternoon, just hours after police say a drunken driver crashed through the restaurant’s exterior wall. The driver, identified by police as Sidney Orange, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries following the crash which occurred shortly after 2 a.m. in the 3300 block of North Monroe at the restaurant. Spokane firefighters responded to the scene and extinguished flames caused by the accident. The car smashed through a north wall and was completely inside the restaurant when police arrived. Officers booked Orange on DUI charges. Police confirmed this is the second crash at the Monroe Skipper’s this year. Owner Gary Jarvis said Monday evening the business was open and taking orders. He blamed drunken drivers speeding down the hill just north of his restaurant for the repeated crashes, but said it wouldn’t keep him from opening his doors. “I’d rather just work,” Jarvis said.