A Tacoma teenager woke up Friday to the kind of alarm clock no one wants, when a car smashed through his family's apartment and came to a stop about a foot from where he was sleeping. The vehicle tore through the front door and living room, leaving the unit heavily damaged and the family temporarily displaced. No injuries were reported, but glass and belongings were scattered across the home. Crews later boarded up the apartment and the car was towed away.
How the crash unfolded
The car jumped a curb, hit a tree and then barreled through the unit's front door into the living room, finally stopping roughly a foot from the sleeping teen, according to KIRO 7. Tacoma police told reporters they were unable to find the driver after he reportedly walked away from the scene.
Family shaken and working with the Red Cross
"So it was like 5 a.m., I'm sleeping, and suddenly some guy starts driving in my living room," 14-year-old Tyresse Brown told KIRO 7. Brown said he woke up to "a bunch of crashing and stuff, glass breaking" and that the vehicle could not be backed out of the apartment. His family is working with the Red Cross for short-term housing while the unit remains boarded up and repairs are evaluated.
How to report tips and stay safe
Authorities are asking anyone with information or video of the crash to contact Tacoma Police. The city's victim-assistance resources and non-emergency contact numbers are listed by the City of Tacoma at City of Tacoma resources. For immediate emergencies, residents should call 911. Non-emergency tips can be shared using the Tacoma Police non-emergency line listed in the city's materials. Neighbors say the incident is a reminder to keep surveillance footage backed up and to photograph damage for both insurers and police reports.
What investigators will examine
Investigators plan to review whether speed, driver error or a mechanical problem played a role in the crash and whether charges are appropriate if the driver is located. Police say they will release additional information as the investigation moves forward and are encouraging anyone with dash-cam or doorbell footage to contact authorities.
