Police: Drunken driver crashes into Melbourne home after chase

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Brevard County couple was forced out of their home by a suspected drunken driver who crashed into it late Tuesday night, police said.

Melbourne police said 22-year-old Philip Rodier ran from the scene, leaving an injured passenger in the rubble along Melbourne Avenue.

Police said they pulled over Rodier at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night and he seemed drunk.

Officers said Rodier became aggressive with them, hitting them before jumping back into his car and driving away.

Officers said Rodier also hit a woman who was his passenger, and he wouldn't let her get out.

Officers said he tried to hit them with his Nissan 350Z.

Police followed Rodier, who then veered off the road through several fences and into Jim Valot and Eileen McGurk's home.

"They said they were chasing a drunk driver and the guy escaped and he was in the area," said Valot.

Then Rodier ran away and left his injured passenger in the car, wedged between the house and its foundation.

The injured woman was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

"The wood planking is up at the wall, and it took out the foundation," said Valot.

Police said they found Rodier a few hours later after a foot chase less than a quarter-mile from the home.

The couple said they were given an initial estimate of $60,000 in damages but they think it could go up.

"We've lived here through three hurricanes -- nothing happened," McGurk said.

WFTV