LOCAL

Louisville gay bar's Pride events not stopped by accidental van crash into patio

Courier Journal

Police responded Wednesday morning to Chill Bar on Bardstown Road in the Highlands after a van accidentally drove into the gay bar's front patio. No ill-intentions are suspected, police said.

No one was hurt after a vehicle crashed on Wednesday into the front patio of a popular Highlands gay bar, according to police.

The van crashed into the patio of Chill Bar Highlands, 1117 Bardstown Road, about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, bursting through the patio's fencing, knocking over tables and chairs.

Louisville Metro Police Department spokesman Lamont Washington said officers took an incident report and called the crash "an accident."

"There was no ill-will or anything criminal about this," Washington said.

Chill Bar posted photos on its Facebook page that showed a van smashed up against several tables and chairs on the bar's patio.

Read mmore:Looking for gay bars in Louisville during Pride Month?

The bar was closed at the time of the crash but is expected to operate as normal Wednesday evening, owner David Graham said.

The crash came during Pride Month and Louisville's Pride Week, when Chill Bar has numerous events scheduled to celebrate the LGBTQ community.

Graham said the driver of the van told police he had swerved to avoid hitting a car and lost control of the vehicle.

Volunteers have helped piece the patio back together, he said, putting back displaced bricks and painting a temporary wooden fence.

"ALL events will go on as scheduled. NOTHING will stop us from having the best PRIDE WEEK ever," Chill Bar posted on its Facebook page. "Happy Pride, everyone."

More:What does LGBTQIA mean? And more answers to your Pride Month questions

Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com or 502-582-7030. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.