Driver Dies After Crashing Into Panda Express Drive-Thru In NW OKC

A 17-year-old driver died after crashing into a Panda Express drive-thru in northwest Oklahoma City, early Thursday morning.

According to authorities, it happened at about 12:30 a.m. at the Panda Express on NW Expressway near Council Road. Based on what investigators have gathered from the scene, speed was an issue and drugs or alcohol may have been involved.

Witnesses told police the driver was going west on NW Expressway, traveling at what they said was a high rate of speed, when for whatever reason the Silver Volkswagen Passat left the road going south. The car then crashed into several trees before slamming into the drive-thru of the Panda Express restaurant.

No one was in the car with the driver and no other cars on the road were hit. 

Police identified the driver as 17-year-old Brian Durini.

All lanes of NW Expressway are now back open to traffic.