No injuries were reported after the early Sunday crash damaged Café Mystique and nearby parklets.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who crashed a sedan into Café Mystique in the Castro District early Sunday, destroying outdoor parklet space and damaging nearby businesses, officials said.
The crash happened about 1:48 a.m. in the 400 block of Castro Street, near 18th Street, after the car left the roadway and struck two parklets before hitting the building. Police found the sedan at the scene, but the driver was gone. No injuries were reported, though business owners said the damage left them cleaning up broken furniture, damaged walls and shattered front-facing areas.
Surveillance video from nearby businesses showed the sedan speeding along Castro Street before veering toward the sidewalk and slamming into the front of Café Mystique at 464 Castro St. The vehicle first tore through outdoor dining space tied to Castro Indian Restaurant and Bar at 468 Castro St. Ajay Khadka, owner of Castro Indian Restaurant and Bar, said the car “was flying” before impact. Video also showed the driver getting out of the damaged car and leaving the area on foot. A second camera angle appeared to show the person running toward 18th Street moments later.
San Francisco firefighters said they received several calls about the crash. Lt. Mariano Elias of the San Francisco Fire Department said callers reported a vehicle going through a parklet and into the building. Elias said the driver was not found and appeared to be under the influence, based on what responders learned at the scene. Police impounded the car as part of the investigation. Officials had not announced an arrest as of Monday, and the driver’s name had not been released.
The impact damaged Café Mystique and left the business under restricted use after city inspectors checked the building. Café Mystique manager Narmela Khordians said the restaurant could not open for breakfast because of the crash. She said regular customers arrived while workers were dealing with repairs and cleanup. Hoodline reported that inspectors determined the front of the restaurant and windows needed repairs, and Khordians estimated the work could cost $30,000 to $35,000. Workers placed plywood near damaged areas as crews cleared debris outside the restaurants.
The crash raised concern because it happened in one of San Francisco’s busiest nightlife corridors. Castro Street near 18th Street is lined with restaurants, bars and foot traffic, especially after midnight on weekends. Khordians said the timing could have made the crash far worse because people often stand near the storefront and eat in nearby parklet space during business hours. “Castro Street is busy during that time,” she said. “Bars are full. People are walking on the sidewalk. He could have killed anybody.”
Police said the case remains under investigation. Officers responded to a solo vehicle collision into a building and later learned the car had struck two different parklets before stopping inside or against the business. The vehicle was towed for further investigation. Authorities have not said whether the sedan was stolen, whether the registered owner has been contacted or whether charges have been prepared. The available evidence includes surveillance video, the impounded car and witness accounts from people who were in the area around the time of the crash.
Business owners and workers spent Sunday cleaning up while the neighborhood moved around the damaged storefronts. ABC7 reported that both restaurants were working to recover from the crash, while Hoodline reported that workers were seen clearing debris and that the businesses were able to resume service later Sunday. Khadka said tables, chairs and a neighboring wall were destroyed. Khordians said the crash was reckless and costly, but she was grateful no one was hurt.
As of Monday, police were still looking for the driver and reviewing evidence from the Castro Street crash. The next step is the identification and arrest of the person who left the sedan at the scene.
Author note: Last updated June 1, 2026.