Residents in the area of Boundary Street and Midnight Drive were startled from their homes Thursday morning following a spectacular crash and crime scene that stretched almost a city block.
“It sounded so close, like an explosion,” said John, who did not want his last name used.
John, who lives near the intersection, said the crash woke him up just after 7 a.m. and he went outside to find the victim of the incident standing in a state of shock near his vehicle on Boundary Street.
“He was the nicest guy, just headed to work. I felt bad for him,” said John, who consoled the driver with a warm cup of coffee and a blanket.
“But I told him it was his lucky day because not only did he not get hurt but he also has the best witness in the world — a police officer.”
John said Cpl. J. Burns happened to be driving by when the suspect vehicle was alleged to have travelled through the intersection and hit a vehicle before careening out of control up Midnight Drive, and up a steep 15-foot retained embankment below the home of Lyle and Ann Severns.
“It’s crazy — almost scary. If that retaining wall wasn’t there, you can imagine where the truck would have ended up,” Severns said from the lawn of his home as he surveyed the damage, including debris from the wall scattered just feet from his front door.
Lyle noted the occupants of the vehicle appeared to be young adults, adding it’s not uncommon to see drivers and teens on bikes and skateboards blowing through the intersection.
Staff Sgt. Del Byron confirmed later Thursday morning that suspects had fled the scene, and officers made multiple arrests as a result of the investigation.
“This had the potential to be a lot worst, this being a residential area where many children would have been walking to school only an hour later,” Byron said.