A DRIVER had rammed into a house and his truck is still lodged in the side of it 40 days after the chaotic crash due to a car insurance battle.
The home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida—about a 30-minute drive southeast of Jacksonville—is located just off a major state highway, causing a distraction for drivers passing by the shocking sight.
It’s been over a month since a driver struck the house with his Chevy truck, causing a headache for the homeowners.
The homeowners had to be rescued from their balcony because their staircase had been wrecked in the February 13 crash.
One of the homeowners told local NBC and ABC affiliate WTLV-WJXX that he’s been trying to get the car removed but hasn’t had any luck.
The homeowner is currently in a weeks-long battle with the driver’s insurance and his homeowners insurance.
In the meantime, the homeowners have had to use a ladder to move in and out of the house.
As for the cause of the crash, the homeowner said that the driver told him the steering on his car had locked up and he lost control.
The homeowner said he has not heard from the driver since.
While the homeowner awaits the car’s removal, he has hired a contractor to clean some of the mess left by the truck and build a new staircase.
But his home is still without electricity from the big crash.
Aside from the damage to the home, reporter Zach Wilcox pointed out the traffic issue with the truck remaining in the side of the house.
“He’s going to have to press on the driver’s car insurance a little bit more to try and finally get this thing out of here so drivers won’t have to wonder as they’re driving by and dropping their jaws as they see it,” Wilcox said of the homeowner.
‘VERY UNUSUAL’
Doug Wiles, CEO of Herbie Wiles Insurance, was shocked that the truck has yet to be removed from the home.
“It is very unusual for a claim of this nature to take so long to be resolved,” he said.
He believes that extreme cases like this should get priority with insurance companies.
“It’s a serious accident that’s done some pretty significant damage to the home,” Wiles said.
The executive added: “Most insurance companies respond to those kinds of things quickly.
Wiles said he’s “surprised” at how much time has passed “without much happening.”
However, it appears the second-floor balcony is resting on top of the truck, which could delay its removal.
“If the car is partially holding up a house, it might take a bit longer,” Wiles said, adding that six weeks is still way too long to wait.
He added: “Most companies I do business with recognize the need for immediate action, the need for safety of the occupant of the house, as well as to protect the interest of the driver.”
How to report an abandoned car
Reporting an abandoned vehicle is important for keeping city streets safe and clean
Not only is an abandoned car an eyesore, it’s also a hazard to the surrounding community as pests and rodents can take refuge in the interior, engine bay, or trunk.
Leaking fluids can be dangerous for the environment, as many vehicle fluids are toxic and can wreak havoc on ecosystems if they enter waterways.
They can also encourage crime with several cities like Oakland, California reporting that drug dealers may use them to hide and side drugs or weapons.
Abandoned vehicles can also lower property values.
Therefore, they’re worth Specific contact information for your city’s abandoned car hotline may vary, but the necessary information on the vehicle is the same.
When reporting an abandoned vehicle, police will need:
- The exact address of the vehicle
- Information on the steering column (broken, missing, intact, etc)
- Condition of the vehicle (severely damaged, windows broken, leaking fluids, missing body panels or doors, etc)
- Make and model
- Color
- Body style (pickup truck, SUV, sedan, etc)
- License plate number and state, if applicable
- VIN
Many cities will allow residents to report abandoned vehicles online through an online form, or it can be called in.
Source: ABC affiliate WPVI-TV
