(WKYT) – A car crashed into the back bedroom of a Laurel County home Sunday night, leaving it unlivable, according to the homeowner.
Lanna Martinez Ward said she came home Sunday night to find the damage.
“When I look at my house, I’m like my gosh there’s a big hole in my house now,” Martinez Ward said.
A 911 caller reported the driver hit a mailbox, tried to drive off from the house she hit, and then pulled off a little further.
The Toyota Corolla crashed into Martinez Ward’s back bedroom.
“So the inside of the house, the whole wall is pushed in. Of course the window’s broke. Yeah, some serious damage,” Martinez Ward said.
Driver charged
Deputies say the driver claimed she needed to get to a market. She was unsteady on her feet and had slurred speech but denied drinking alcohol, according to deputies. She said she had taken medication about four hours prior, deputies said.
Clara Dalton was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, criminal mischief, and failure to wear seat belts.
“And obviously not stop because, because she tried to leave. She did not try to get out of the car and see if anyone was injured or hurt, or anything like that. And that does make you angry,” Martinez Ward said.
Deputies say Dalton told them she tried to miss hitting a turtle, but a witness told them she said she had dropped her cell phone.
“I’m disappointed in her life choices,” Martinez Ward said.
Dalton was taken to the hospital for treatment then was booked into the Laurel County Detention Center.
A caller reported seeing Dalton hit a house, causing enough damage for the house to begin caving in, the citation states.
Laurel County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Gilbert Acciardo said Dalton did not appear to understand she needed to stay at the scene of the crash.
“She kept saying ‘I need to get to the gas station, I need to get to the gas station,’” Acciardo said.