Food Influencers Injured During Filming
Two food influencers narrowly escaped tragedy after an SUV slammed into a Houston restaurant while they were filming a food review. Nina Santiago, known online as NinaUnrated, and fellow creator Patrick Blackwood were seated at CuVee’s Culinary Creations on August 16 when an SUV barreled through the glass wall at an estimated 35 to 40 miles per hour. The shocking moment was captured on camera and later shared to their YouTube channel, showing glass and debris flying across their table.
In a caption posted alongside the video, the pair described the crash in vivid detail. “We were laughing, having a great time, and right as we tapped our sliders together in a ‘boom!’ cheers moment, out of nowhere, this SUV came barreling through the glass wall at 35–40 mph,” they wrote. Santiago later shared a personal reflection on Instagram, saying, “It hit us directly—me on his left, him on my right—as I bit into a delicious salmon slider. Out of nowhere, but we survived. This experience showed me who truly matters; life’s too short for grudges or anger. Let go, forgive, live in the now, and cherish those around you—this could’ve been our last meal.” Blackwood added his own message of gratitude: “Grateful to see another day, walking away from the small stuff with a big purpose. Live bold, love deep, and make every moment count.”
Restaurant owner Ivory Watkins also described how close the crash came to being even more devastating. “If I hadn’t turned around, all of that would have hit me directly in my face,” Watkins said, noting that the driver was arriving for a private event and passed an alcohol test. He called the crash a “freak accident” and later assured patrons the restaurant would remain open. On Instagram, CuVee’s Culinary Creations posted, “We’re just thanking God everyone is safe! Nothing is going to keep us from serving great food and service to our community.”
Both Santiago and Blackwood were treated for minor cuts and bruises before being released from the hospital. The restaurant reopened the following day, with Watkins encouraging Houstonians to show support by continuing to dine there. For the influencers, the incident quickly went viral, transforming what was meant to be another food review into a life-altering moment caught on camera.
