Gambino’s owner Aaron Boden was watching Sunday Night Football when he got a call from his employees that there had been an accident. 

“Frantic,” Boden said Tuesday morning when discussing his initial reaction. “Trying to get the kids rounded up to get in the car and get there was the most important thing.” 

“When we first pulled up on the scene, it was shocking,” Boden continued. “I mean, our employee told us it was bad. Now, sometimes when, you know, they say that, we don’t know how to take it. Sometimes it can be over exaggerated, right? But it was under exaggerated. It was complete insanity that somebody could do that.” 

Richard Craig Nettles, 46, of Eudora was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of reckless driving and driving under the influence after a truck crashed into Gambino’s. Eudora police reported that a red Chevrolet pickup drove into the front of the building and caused serious damage about 7 p.m.

Boden said life for him and his wife, Sheena, went from normal to a crazy tailspin, but they are handling things each day. Boden said they are working with their insurance company to gather information and try to create a plan. 

“It’s a situation that’s so new to any of us,” he said. “And we don’t, honestly, quite know how to handle it that well. And so we are trying the best we can and trying to come up with answers as quickly as possible.” 

Boden said the two employees who were taken to the hospital have been released, but they are still a little banged up. He said everyone involved is pretty shaken by the incident. 

Boden and his wife have owned the business since 1999. While he doesn’t know for sure, he is hopeful the business can reopen in 30-45 days. 

Boden said he and his wife don’t really need help from the community because the situation is more a matter of getting contractors in to rebuild, but they appreciate the support they have received. He said he hopes that the community is there when the business does reopen. 

“Just keep us in your thoughts,” Boden said. “Our two girls that got hurt, just keep them in your thoughts. And just be nice to people. The best thing is to just hold tight, and you know, that we’ll get through this and get back open.” 

Reach reporter Jack Denebeim at [email protected].