Early on Easter Sunday, a pickup truck crashed into Pel’meni restaurant, located in downtown Anchorage across from the Hotel Captain Cook. The incident occurred along Fifth Avenue, leaving the vehicle embedded in the restaurant’s wall of windows. The driver fled the scene immediately after the crash.
The Anchorage Police Department reported that the unoccupied blue Dodge Ram was discovered inside Anchorage Pel’meni shortly before 3:30 a.m. Witnesses described the suspect as a man approximately 6-foot-3 tall, between 25 and 30 years of age, wearing a light-colored jacket and jeans. He was seen escaping on foot following the collision.
Inside the establishment, an employee sustained an eye injury and received medical attention from paramedics. Authorities are investigating the involvement of a white Ford F-150, which may be related to the incident. However, details about its connection to the crash remain unclear, and no arrests have been made as of Monday morning.
Anchorage Pel’meni, which opened in 2022 following the success of a well-loved location in Juneau, is known for serving Russian dumplings favored by late-night patrons. Owner Mark Moore expressed gratitude that the situation was not more severe. The restaurant has been boarded up to protect against the weather, and a structural inspection was scheduled for Monday.
The possibility of installing a temporary wall to facilitate takeout services is being considered, pending approval from building managers. Moore indicated that the damage assessment process is still in its early stages. The community eagerly awaits updates as the restaurant works towards recovery.