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Ex-pro wrestler describes scary moments when car crashes through restaurant injuring six people

Posted at 5:24 PM, Feb 06, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-07 06:49:42-05

Six people are still recovering after a car crashed through a Beef O'Brady’s restaurant injuring six people.

RELATED: Car jumps curb, crashes into Beef 'O' Brady's in Spring Hill, injuring six

"It was just like a tremendous blast," said Jovite Palardis.

Palardis was sitting in the path of the car that came barreling through the side of Spring Hill restaurant on Tuesday afternoon.

"The debris was shoved at such a high rate of speed at our table. We were right directly in front," said Palardis.

Palardis took many beatings in his younger days as professional wrestler Joe Polardi. But he says these days his body can’t that kind of impact. His arm, back, and neck were injured.

"It shook me up," said Palardis.

He is also a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD.

"It immediately just took me right back to the scene," said Palardis.

He says thankfully his service dog, Buddy, is always with him and was able to calm him down so he could help push the car off of a woman.

Six people were injured in total. One woman with serious injuries is still in the hospital and FHP is still investigating how the driver lost control.

Palardis says he’s thankful that no one was killed and he’ll never forget it.

"I just can’t fathom and it's coming back to me all the time," said Palardis.

The Spring Hill Beef O'Bradys say they plan to reopen for business on Thursday.