Residents of East Brandywine Township are processing a surreal event after home surveillance video captured an SUV taking an unintended flight through residential hedges and atop a parked car before driving away. The incident occurred on Thursday, captured outside a home on Route 322, as reported by CBS News Philadelphia.
Andre Pennisi, the owner of the damaged '92 Chrysler, expressed his frustration not only about the damage to his vehicle but also about the driver's decision to casually leave the scene. "That's the part that angers me the most. Not the fact they hit my car, but the fact they decided to leave and are nowhere to be found," Pennisi told CBS News Philadelphia. East Brandywine Township police have since identified the driver, who claimed to have suffered a medical emergency during the crash, as noted by FOX 29.
The footage, which has quickly become viral, reaching over 220,000 views after being posted to Facebook by homeowner Rob McCall, depicts the harrowing moment the white Nissan Rogue went airborne and landed on the Chrysler in McCall's driveway. McCall, in a statement obtained by Action News, relayed his disbelief, saying, "We were shocked and it was a bit of disbelief. It baffles me."
While the crash's aftermath was notable for property damage, both McCall and Pennisi are thankful that there were no injuries, though they did highlight the larger issue of reckless driving. "It seems like people's driving has been getting worse. I think we as a society need to take a step back and think about how we're driving two, three, four, or sometimes 8,000 lbs. vehicles that can kill someone," Pennisi explained in an interview with 6ABC. The driver implicated in the accident is expected to face charges, with East Brandywine Township police affirming that proper enforcement action will be taken.
As the community reckons with this incident, the focus now turns toward repairing the damages. Pennisi, particularly hit hard as the damaged car was his main transportation mode, said he'll need at least a new hood and fender. "I was trying really hard to try to keep the car nice and someone came through and completely destroyed that," he lamented. Details of the charges against the driver have not yet been announced, leaving residents awaiting the final resolution of a situation as startling as it is cautionary.
