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New Report On Newton Restaurant Crash Shows Challenges Firefighters Faced

NEWTON (CBS) – New details were released Monday about the horror and chaos in the moments after a deadly crash at a Newton restaurant earlier this month.

Two people died and seven others were hurt when an SUV slammed through the front of Sweet Tomatoes on Washington Street March 1.

The Newton Fire Department issued its final report on the crash Monday and a copy was obtained by WBZ-TV's I-Team.

Newton crash sweet tomatoes
The SUV crashed into the restaurant March 1, 2016. (WBZ-TV)

Among the notable items – there were fears a gas leak triggered by the crash could have led to an explosion; the SUV driver told the first responding firefighter that he wasn't hurt; and, at one point, there was a search for a reported missing baby.

Firefighters rushed to the restaurant that Tuesday evening and found the SUV deep inside the restaurant.

"There was a strong odor of natural gas leaking throughout the structure, which could create an explosion and fire hazard," the fire report stated. "Structural damage caused by the vehicle created a collapse hazard."

As authorities raced to rescue victims trapped in the debris, two customers were declared dead at the scene - 57-year-old Eleanor Miele and 32-year-old Gregory Morin.

Sweet Tomatoes miele morin
Eleanor Miele and Gregory Morin (Family Photo/WBZ-TV)

"There was only one victim who was trapped between the car and a pizza oven. However, he had no viable signs of life. There were other victims who were covered with debris but not physically trapped. A second victim that was foun(d) on the floor next to the driver's side of the car showed no viable signs of life," the report stated.

Little information about the SUV driver, Bradford Casler, has been released since the crash.

But, according to Monday's report, he was not seriously injured.

"The driver was still in the front seat of the vehicle, he appeared to be conscious," one firefighter wrote.

"I removed the driver of the vehicle who said he wasn't hurt and passed him off to a Police officer," another firefighter stated in the report.

newton crash sweet tomatoes
The SUV crashed into the restaurant March 1, 2016. (WBZ-TV)

At one point, firefighters were asked to "search and rescue a possible missing baby."

"The crew did a detailed search for the reported missing baby. The search consisted of climbing on top of and looking under kitchen equipment, lifting granite counter top pieces, looking under many empty pizza boxes, tables, chairs, and any voids," the report stated, but it turned out to be a false alarm and no baby was found.

After all the survivors were out of the restaurant, firefighters began ventilating the back of the building "by breaking several windows to circumvent a possible gas explosion."

Bradford Casler
Bradford Casler. (WBZ-TV)

The driver, Bradford Casler, is not facing charges at this point, but his license is suspended pending the outcome of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's investigation into the crash.

Because of the ongoing criminal investigation, the Newton Fire Department declined an interview request.

However, Ryan praised the rescue efforts on Monday, telling WBZ firefighters did "a great job."

The district attorney also cautioned the public to remain patient because the investigation will likely take time to complete.

"We are looking at anything related to the car, to the driver, and to the situation to be able to make a good determination of the cause," Ryan said.

West Newton business owner Fulvio Fierimonte was inside his ice cream shop when he heard the violent collision.

"I ran outside and there was broken glass and debris everywhere. Tables, chairs, everything was crushed. It was horrific," Fierimonte said.

But upon learning new details in the fire department's report, the business owner was thankful to hear firefighters acted quickly to prevent an already tragic situation from getting even worse.

"A gas explosion would have been catastrophic," he said.

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