Virginia Beach – On the night of Nov. 4, a driver mistakenly put a car in drive instead of reverse, sending it through the fence of The Rustic Spoon on Pleasure House Road. The vehicle smashed several tables, pinning one woman beneath the car.
Quick thinking saves a life
Co‑owner Ryan Hines described the chaos: “There was a gentleman parked in the handicapped spot. He put the car in Drive instead of Reverse.” Surveillance footage showed the car plowing through the patio fence and crushing a table where two women were seated.
One of the patrons was trapped under the vehicle. Hines said a bartender immediately took charge, speaking calmly to the injured woman while help arrived. That bartender was Kate Coutherut, a veteran of the Virginia Beach restaurant scene who has worked at The Rustic Spoon for about a year.
Training and instinct
Coutherut recalled hearing a “sound that was not fun to hear” while she was cleaning behind the bar. She initially didn’t realize someone was under the car. “When I walked around, I was able to see the woman under the table, under the car,” she said.
She crouched down and began assessing the victim’s ABCs – alertness, bleeding, breathing – drawing on her past experience as a water‑park supervisor and lifeguard. “My first instinct was to assess her ABCs,” Coutherut explained, adding that her training and her instincts as a mother helped her stay calm.
Emergency responders arrive
Coutherut called 911 and stayed by the woman’s side until medics and firefighters arrived. First responders lifted the car, freed the woman, and transported her and her companion to a local hospital. Both were treated for cuts and released the same night, with no broken bones. “It was the best‑case scenario for what it looked like it could’ve been,” Coutherut said.
Recognition and reward
For her swift action, Coutherut was named this week’s News 3 Everyday Hero. Through a partnership with Southern Bank, she received a $425 Visa gift card as a token of appreciation for her bravery.
When asked what drove her to act so quickly, Coutherut offered simple advice: “If something sounds like an accident, there might be one. A life is a life, so maybe jump in and help.”
Community impact
The incident underscores the importance of trained staff and vigilant community members in keeping public spaces safe. Residents of Virginia Beach praised Coutherut’s heroism, noting that her actions reflect the town’s strong family‑oriented values and commitment to looking out for one another.
Local officials have not announced any changes to safety protocols at the restaurant, but the event has sparked conversation about improving patio barriers and ensuring that businesses are prepared for emergencies.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
