NATCHEZ — The line of Wendy’s lovers that has stayed almost constant along Seargent S. Prentiss Drive since the restaurant opened Monday prompted Wendy’s to hire an off-duty police officer to direct traffic.

Natchez Detective Jerry Ford said the restaurant’s district manager, Don Sapp, contacted him about hiring an off-duty officer to help with the flow of traffic.

Ford said there was a two-car wreck beside the restaurant Monday night after the line of sight of a driver who was pulling out of Sonic was blocked by the Wendy’s traffic.

Ford said NPD has not and will not issue any tickets to Wendy’s patrons who are stuck in traffic.

“We’ve just been out there directing people to keep traffic flowing,” Ford said.