DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are investigating after a driver crashed into a Deerfield Beach home and took off on foot, early Wednesday morning.
The homeowner was not inside the house at the time of the crash, near Northwest Third Avenue and 39th Street, sometime around 3 a.m., but the collision left quite a mess.
A home surveillance camera caught the car speeding by and the sound of the explosion during the collision. The owner of the surveillance camera also said the footage captured the driver responsible, running and then limping away from the crash scene.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, a dark BMW slammed into the house, leaving a giant hole near the front door. “The guy came obviously barreling down the road, he had to be,” said neighbor Lisa Manniello. “We heard a loud noise and went out there, and the car was literally inside the house.”
7News was on scene as neighbors helped board up the gaping hole. Although the homeowner was away for Thanksgiving, the owner’s three cats were inside at the time of the crash, and only one was found.
“Their house has to be left like that, and they’re enjoying their Thanksgiving in another state,” Manniello said, “so I don’t know, you know, how to deal with that. That’s crazy.”
Brett Darmody, who helped patch up the home, said he called the homeowner to let him know what had happened. “He was told by the police, before me,” he said. “I just told him that I would do what I could to secure his home and his pets.”
Darmody also told 7News, the victim was asleep when he received the phone call, so he didn’t have much of a reaction. He is now cutting his trip short and making plans to come home.
“Happy it wasn’t my home but pretty sad for my neighbor,” Darmody said. “I’m glad he wasn’t home at the time, as well.”
That driver left several clues including the BMW that was too damaged to drive away and his limping image caught on surveillance.
Police are now looking for that person, and neighbors hope there will be an arrest. “He got out and ran away. He tried to run away. He’s injured. He’s limping out there,” Manniello said.
If you have any information on this driver, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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