A Far East El Paso family was jolted awake early Sunday when a vehicle jumped the curb and slammed into their parked car in a driveway, shoving it several feet and setting off what neighbors described as gunfire. The crash happened at about 3:08 a.m., and the driver sped off before the homeowner could get a license plate number. No one inside the house was hurt, but skid marks and scattered debris told the story of how hard the car was hit.
Homeowner, Doorbell Video Give Timeline
Homeowner Robert Swanson told KVIA that he and his wife heard "pop pop pop" just seconds before the impact. Doorbell camera video then captured the moment a car jumped the curb and crashed into the parked vehicle in the driveway.
Swanson said a neighbor's surveillance clip showed the same car swerving down the street and hitting objects before it reached his home. He ran downstairs, hoping to catch the license plate, but said the driver "peeled off" right as he opened the door.
Hit-and-Run Laws That Could Apply
Under Texas law, a driver who leaves the scene after striking an unattended vehicle can face criminal penalties, depending on the amount of damage and whether anyone was hurt. As outlined in the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550, failing to stop or to leave contact information after hitting an unattended vehicle can be charged as a misdemeanor, while crashes that cause serious injury or death can lead to felony charges.
Neighbors, Police Say Investigation Underway
Several neighbors came outside after hearing the crash and what some believed were gunshots, and officers interviewed residents along the block, according to KVIA. An El Paso Police Department spokesperson told the station that the incident "is currently under investigation," and that investigators will likely review doorbell and street surveillance video to try to identify the fleeing vehicle.
After a Hit: Preserve Footage and Contact Police
If your car is struck by a driver who takes off, officials urge you to collect and preserve any surveillance or doorbell footage, take photos of the damage and skid marks, and share witness contact information with officers before any video gets overwritten. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that collision coverage or uninsured or underinsured motorist property damage coverage may help pay for repairs after a hit-and-run when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Vehicle owners are advised to report the crash to the police and their insurer and to keep copies of photos, video, and other evidence for any insurance claims.
