NORTHFIELD — A Warwick woman was uninjured after crashing her car into a house at 174 Millers Falls Road (Route 63) on Monday morning.
According to Acting Police Chief Alexander Pirozhkov, the Warwick resident was traveling north on Millers Falls Road at around 10:30 a.m. when she reportedly fell asleep at the wheel of her Subaru Impreza, veering off the road just north of the Northfield Mountain pumped storage facility. The car crossed into the southbound lane and drove through some bushes before striking the southeast corner of the house at 174 Millers Falls Road.
The owner of the house, Frank Podlesny, was at home with his two sons, Leo, 7, and Al, 5. None of the occupants were injured, and the driver was evaluated by first responders on scene.
Podlesny said he was in the kitchen when “the whole house shook and the power went out.” Looking outside, he saw the vehicle that had crashed into his house. He said the driver was still in the white four-door sedan with the airbags deployed, and was able to crawl out the driver’s side window.
Podlesny also said the impact knocked over his half-full 275-gallon oil tank in the basement. He was unsure if it was leaking.
The car also moved one of the carrying beams that rim the foundation. According to Fire Chief Floyd “Skip” Dunnell III, the Fire Department used its Hurst hydraulic tool to jack up the corner of the house, temporarily stabilizing it so the car could be removed by a tow truck.
Dunnell informed Podlesny he would need to contact an electrician to repair service to the home. Utility crews were on scene and the building inspector responded.
When asked whether the driver will face charges, Pirozhkov said the accident remains under investigation.
Reach Paul Franz at
413-772-0261, ext. 266 or pfranz@recorder.com.
