Car Crash Cools the Soft Opening of Kelly’s Irish Pub

In what could be charitably described as a 100% freak accident, a Tesla crashed into the brand-new Kelly’s Irish Pub on West Oltorf on Saturday, December 3, the day after the pub opened for business.

They were hoping for more of a soft opening, but the car had other ideas. The car was described as “brand-new-off-the-lot,” and reportedly “got away” from its driver. No one was hurt and everyone was fine, except for the window and car.

While the accident was reported as a hit and run in other outlets, the Kelly’s owners assured that the driver remained on the scene after their unorthodox arrival. As did many other customers who were there at the time. In fact, not a drop of anyone’s drink spilled.

In a review/live report from the scene just following the accident on YouTube, Kelly’s customer John Rankin Smith showed the carnage from his perspective at the bar.

His beer and shot remained on the bar, undisturbed. A Christmas tree was slightly askew, from when Smith admittedly bumped into it while standing up. He pans to the front window, destroyed by the Tesla. He then pans to the rest of the room, which remains filled with customers, chatting, drinking, continuing with their visit. The 43-second video shows an Irish pub operating perfectly, after a car crashed into it. May this never happen again.

James Kelly, namesake owner of Kelly’s Irish Pub confirmed the details of the accident, and the video. “Thank god, everyone was okay, apart from the aesthetic damage to the front window. Not even as much as a drink spilled. Nobody got hurt.”

While Kelly is covering the costs of the damages himself, for now, he expects that the gentleman in question’s insurance will cover it. “[The driver] did not drive off, the man came inside, gave us his insurance info. I think we witnessed our own Christmas miracle and a little luck of the Irish. And excuse my language, but shit happens. I’ve seen a lot of crazy things happen in Irish bars.”

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen in an Irish bar? Kelly politely demurred. “I’ll not even answer that.” Would this freak accident have been in the list of top ten, or top five craziest things he’s seen? “It’s in the top five surely. Definitely, there’s been crazier shit, for sure.”

A construction crew arrived within one hour of the unexpected guest named Tesla, and Kelly’s is open for business, completely secure. They never even paused business. “We’re not altered in any way,” promises Kelly.

As of now, a new wall has replaced the broken window and the Guinness pours as intended. As luck is known to run out, may we suggest taking a rideshare or walking for the remainder of the year and perhaps forever. Kelly’s Irish Pub made it, but who else feels as lucky?