'I just remember getting flung': Crash destroys food truck on Milwaukee's north side

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A food truck operator said he's counting his blessings after being involved in a car crash earlier this week. The crash destroyed his truck, costing him thousands of dollars.

"I was just confused, like, what's going on, you know? I make gumbo like this every day, this ain't supposed to be happening," said Andre Richards, owner of Gumbo Valley Food Truck.

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the crash happened just after 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26. Police said a 28-year-old woman, who they suspect to be driving while intoxicated, hit Richards' food truck.

"I just remember getting flung, you know, to the front, and everything went black. I saw lights and it just seemed unreal at the time," said Richards.

Richards went on to say he's been parking and operating his food truck on Capitol Drive for the past three years.

"This my spot, everybody knows in the city to come here, to this spot, of the best gumbo in the city. And now, unfortunately, they have to find another place to get their gumbo fix," said Richards.

Richard said his food truck was not bought, but rather he built it from the ground up.

"It took me 14 months almost, night and day, to build that truck…in seconds it got destroyed, in seconds," said Richards.

Since the incident, a GoFundMe page was started to help Richards. In just two days, the page has surpassed its fundraising goal by more than triple. 

"I'm just happy to see that we can all come together to finish out a dream that I started, and I never knew that people would believe in my dream like I do… it makes me feel good, it makes me feel good, proud," said Richards.

Richards said one day he plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Milwaukee.