SUV driver misses dog, hits house

Durham, N.C. — An SUV slammed into the side of a house Friday afternoon when the driver swerved to avoid hitting a dog and lost control of the vehicle, police and neighbors said.

The vehicle went through the wall of the garage at 1 Regan Court, off Chance Road in east Durham at about 1 p.m., police said.

No injuries were reported.

"I'm at a loss for words as to how something like this could happen," homeowner Nancy Mack said. "I just still can't believe it. It's something that you would never imagine happening in a lifetime."

Mack said she was in another part of the house when the incident occurred.

"I opened the garage door, (and ) I said, 'My God, how did that car get all the way in here?'" she said.

The garage is used primarily for storage, she said. She said she's lost some possessions, but she is glad the damage wasn't worse.

"Thank God it was in the garage instead of being in the other part of the house," she said.

No charges have been filed in the case, which remains under investigation.

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Fine the owner of the dog for causing an accident by disobeying leash laws. Sheesh!

emaleth
January 2, 2009 9:14 p.m.

I once saw two dogs playing in a large rural field. Unfortunately, when I saw them, they were about to run across the 4-lane road, on which I was doing about 65MPH. Either I hit the dogs, or I make a maneuver that would seriously put my life at danger. The second dog didn't make it. But I'm still alive and kicking and the van suffered zero damage, as the dog rumbled around under the chassis. Sounds cruel. But if you want to live in such a situation, you better straighten out your priorities. I didn't lose a second of sleep, as I'm sure too many of you would.

DeathRow-IFeelYourPain-NOT
January 2, 2009 8:49 p.m.

St. Ives, are you serious, or just pulling our leg? Cause I'm not sure and its starting to bother me. Oh well, back to the story at hand. The driver of this SUV saved a $50 mutt and caused $25,000 - $30,000 in damage. Probably a PETA NUT! Take out the mutt next time. I don't swerve for any animal. Only human beings, as only a human has a soul. And if there was an animal that deserved the same treatment as a human, those animals should have developed the earth as we humans have. But obviously, there isn't an animal on the face of the earth that has enough brain power to know not to drink their own urine or sniff rear ends. Hey PETA, find another hobby. In the next millenium, you will not have convinced any higher percentage of people to joim your cult ranks.

DeathRow-IFeelYourPain-NOT
January 2, 2009 8:45 p.m.

I not only stop for turtles I have escorted them across the street to make sure no one else hits them! I swerve for dogs cats and crows too!

St Ives
January 2, 2009 8:30 p.m.

I would avoid the animal. Killing the animal is not my first choice, but my last choice if all other options are not available. So far, only deer has been the animal I hit with no choice to avoid.

I also stop on the shoulder to save turtles crossing the road.

You're been warned :-)

jse830fcnawa030klgmvnnaw+
January 2, 2009 8:19 p.m.