Pismo Beach restaurant damaged in hit-and-run

Penny’s All American Café in Pismo Beach was closed Thursday after a hit-and-run driver smashed into the building overnight.

It happened at around midnight.

Police say the driver fled after the crash but was later stopped on 4th Street and found to be intoxicated.

Officers identified the driver as Gerardo Ramirez, 28.

He was arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run.

Café owner Penny Rodriguez says insurance should cover the damage to the building.

She plans to reopen on Friday after spending all day Thursday cleaning up. However, she says the restaurant will likely have to close for up to two weeks once they get the permits to make repairs.

Rodriguez says customers have been coming by all day Thursday offering support.