Caution tape was up Friday morning outside Bittersweet on East Martin Street, where damage could still be seen in the patio area.
Raleigh police said officers responded to a reported hit-and-run around 1:50 a.m. near Fayetteville Street, around the corner from the business. The driver struck the outdoor seating area before leaving the scene.
No one was injured. One of the owners told ABC11 off-camera that they were grateful no one was sitting in the patio at the time.
The crash came close to several propane tanks outside the business.
The incident is raising safety concerns about patios so close to passing traffic.
Cherrell Dotson works at a barber shop across the street from Bittersweet and said she witnessed several close calls before the hit-and-run incident.
"It's several close calls along the street from the buses to the cars. I've even seen cars be on the wrong side of the road on this street," said Dotson.
An owner of Bittersweet told ABC11 that she's thankful nobody was sitting there when the incident happened.
These types of outdoor dining spaces on the road are permitted by the City. There are 18 of them in downtown Raleigh.
A spokesperson said the City has numerous safety requirements to keep people safe.
According to Raleigh's guide on the program, "the City reserves the right to require streeteries to be relocated or removed at the applicant's expense on account of public safety."
Some people said they felt that a few of them sit far too close to traffic.
"That's really dangerous," said Clive Gordon.
"You never know, somebody might be texting, even on a sunny day like this, and crash into it," said Natalie Caro.
"Maybe rethink it just a little bit," said Dotson. "Again, I've seen several close calls out here, and safety is the No. 1 thing for people."
As far as this hit-and-run goes, police say it's under investigation, and they have not yet made an arrest.
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