Bayville restaurant owner fights for his life after hit-and-run crash in Seaside Heights
Bob Popovics has run the Shady Rest restaurant in Bayville for nearly 60 years. He remains in critical condition.
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The beloved owner of a popular Bayville restaurant is still in critical condition following a hit-and-run crash on Monday.
Bob Popovics has run the Shady Rest restaurant in Bayville for nearly 60 years.
“When he left for Vietnam, he left from here. There are pictures of him kissing his nieces and nephews goodbye here,” said Jeremy Muermann, Popovics’ son-in-law.
But that all changed Monday night when police say 50-year-old Genell Mcinaw hit Popovics with her vehicle on The Boulevard in Seaside Heights after a night of drinking. The severely injured restaurant owner and sportsman was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in critical condition.
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“Yesterday was their 53rd wedding anniversary, and the most heartbreaking thing that I could have seen was his wife sitting in the hospital with him on their 53rd anniversary when they should have been out to dinner enjoying having fun. That was, unfortunately, where she had to be,” said Muermann.
Popovics built the restaurant’s rose garden by hand 40 years ago. His family says it’s now become the centerpiece of the restaurant.
“Bob is the master gardener, and he’s got the rose garden, he’s out here working on it every day,” said Muermann.
Popovics stays busy outside the restaurant duties with his love of salt-water fly fishing. His son-in-law tells News 12 that all of the prayers and support received from the community keep the family in good spirits.
“Bob would want the restaurant to stay open. It is his life it is his livelihood and it’s everything, obviously wife first and the restaurant behind it,” he said.
As Popovics continues to fight for his life – McInaw remains behind bars.
