ORLANDO, Fla. – A woman dressed in a banana costume helped call police after a vehicle crashed through the outdoor dining area of The Moderne Bar on Colonial Drive early Saturday, leaving behind major damage but no reported injuries.
Stephanie Oropeza said she and her fiance were heading home from a Halloween party around 4 a.m. when they came across the crash outside the Orlando restaurant.
“At first we were just in shock because at first it just started off him driving on the opposite side of the road,” Oropeza said. “And then slowly he started just veering into The Moderne.”
Video from the scene shows a vehicle plowing through the bar’s outdoor seating area. Oropeza, still wearing her banana costume, stopped and called Orlando police.
“He kind of just smushed everything all the way to the front,” she said.
The moment later gained attention online after The Moderne posted video of Oropeza making the call for help. The restaurant used the post to try to identify and thank her.
Michael Nguyen, owner of The Moderne, said the scene was so unusual that some people thought the video could not be real.
“They were like, ‘Is this AI? Like, are you messing with us?’” Nguyen said. “And I was like, ‘No, no, this is really a rogue 4:30 a.m. banana just roaming the streets of Mills, just saving the day, reporting the incident.’”
Oropeza later saw the posts about her online.
“I woke up and I look up if anyone posted about the crash and then see the headline is ‘banana hero,’” she said.
When asked what her superhero name would be, Oropeza laughed and answered, “Banana Bandit.”
The restaurant eventually connected with Oropeza and thanked her with a free meal.
“It feels nice,” Oropeza said. “And I hope this all just can spread a better message that if you see someone in need.”
While no one was hurt, Nguyen said the crash caused significant damage. He estimated repairs to the custom fence alone could cost between $30,000 and $50,000.
The crash also destroyed about six tables and dozens of chairs, and the restaurant is still assessing the full extent of the damage.
News 6 has reached out to Orlando police for more information about the crash and the driver. Updates will be provided when more details are released.
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