NEWPORT, Vt. -
A woman was just sitting and watching TV when a car almost ended up in her living room. Police say the driver was speeding, and possibly on drugs and alcohol. There were three men in the car, all from Albany, VT.
It took the Jaws of Life to get all three men out of the car… the roof and doors had to be cut off. Two of the men have been released from the hospital, but the driver was air lifted to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and is still there.
As for the homeowner, she wasn't hurt, but it could have been a lot worse.
"Broke the windows, buckled the roof," Shirley McFadzean said.
Evidence, all over the front lawn... shattered glass, plastic... the rear view mirror... all were left behind.
"Had they been just another foot the other way, they would have gone right into the living room," McFadzean said.
That's exactly where Shirley McFadzean was sitting around nine Monday night when a car came barreling down Coventry Street and smashed into her 87 year old mother's home.
"I heard this huge impact, it was just... I thought the second floor had let loose and everything was coming down," she said.
Police say 44 year old Francis Warner was airlifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock, his 20 year old son Joshua had a broken arm and was released from the hospital. His 49 year old brother Frank had more than 40 stitches in his head but was also released. It took the Jaws of Life to get the family out.
"Depending on the results that we get back from the rest of our investigation will determine what charges are filed," Newport Police Chief Seth DiSanto said.
Police say there was evidence of drugs and alcohol at the scene. So although McFadzean was surprised, "I could see that there was a car with its headlights shining through the picture window." This is actually the second time a car has smashed into the home, but McFadzean hopes it's the last.
"You gotta be responsible for your actions," she added.
20 year old Joshua Warner was issued a ticket for consuming alcohol underage. And again, once the investigation is complete, police will decide what charges they'll file for the driver.
The speed limit in that area is 35 miles per hour... neighbors tell me; the driver was doing at least 60.
