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Driver Missing After Car Smashes Into Homes, Bursts Into Flames
POSTED: 6:56 am EDT March 28,
2008
UPDATED: 12:23 pm EDT March 28,
2008
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A driver speeding through Avalon Park crashed into two homes on Orchid Tree Place (see map) and the car caught fire. It landed on the front porch just a few feet away from where the homeowner was sleeping.
SLIDESHOW: Images From Scene Of Fiery Crash Into Home
RAW VIDEO: Car Found Empty After Smashing Into Homes
Eyewitnesses told investigators they saw three young guys running from the car. FHP troopers found the owner, but don't believe he was driving though the car was never reported stolen.The car first hit a blue house and crashed into the one next door. The homeowner of the second home, who didn't want to be identified, was out all morning with her insurance adjusters hoping they can get it cleaned up quickly."I got up, peeked out the front window and saw a car sitting there and the gas tank started on fire," the homeowner said.The car landed just a few feet from the homeowner's bed. She jumped up and tried to put out the fire."I went and got the fire extinguisher. It didn't do any good," she said.The woman rushed to get her daughter, dog and cat out of the house. Her neighbors had already called for help because the car hit their home first."I heard someone yell. They yelled, 'Oh my God!' Next thing I seen, someone hit the side of the house, hit the pillar," explained next door neighbor Denise Bingaman.Investigators believe the driver of the 1991 Nissan was speeding down Avalon Park Boulevard. They jumped the median, took out a fire hydrant and ended up on Orchid Tree Place where the car clipped the pillar on one home and crashed into the home next door. Flames from the car spread to the first floor of the home.The bedroom where the homeowner was sleeping is destroyed, but firefighters said she was lucky."We could've lost the house. Obviously, if the gas tank had exploded on the vehicle, it could've been a significant fire," said Batt. Chief Tammy Wunderly, Orange County Fire Rescue.Firefighters said that even after the damage the house suffered it is still safe to live in. The homeowner said she had insurance.
SLIDESHOW: Images From Scene Of Fiery Crash Into HomeRAW VIDEO: Car Found Empty After Smashing Into HomesEyewitnesses told investigators they saw three young guys running from the car. FHP troopers found the owner, but don't believe he was driving though the car was never reported stolen.The car first hit a blue house and crashed into the one next door. The homeowner of the second home, who didn't want to be identified, was out all morning with her insurance adjusters hoping they can get it cleaned up quickly."I got up, peeked out the front window and saw a car sitting there and the gas tank started on fire," the homeowner said.The car landed just a few feet from the homeowner's bed. She jumped up and tried to put out the fire."I went and got the fire extinguisher. It didn't do any good," she said.The woman rushed to get her daughter, dog and cat out of the house. Her neighbors had already called for help because the car hit their home first."I heard someone yell. They yelled, 'Oh my God!' Next thing I seen, someone hit the side of the house, hit the pillar," explained next door neighbor Denise Bingaman.Investigators believe the driver of the 1991 Nissan was speeding down Avalon Park Boulevard. They jumped the median, took out a fire hydrant and ended up on Orchid Tree Place where the car clipped the pillar on one home and crashed into the home next door. Flames from the car spread to the first floor of the home.The bedroom where the homeowner was sleeping is destroyed, but firefighters said she was lucky."We could've lost the house. Obviously, if the gas tank had exploded on the vehicle, it could've been a significant fire," said Batt. Chief Tammy Wunderly, Orange County Fire Rescue.Firefighters said that even after the damage the house suffered it is still safe to live in. The homeowner said she had insurance.
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