THUNDER BAY — A Thunder Bay man says his father only narrowly missed being killed when a vehicle went out of control and smashed into his house.
The incident occurred about 10:00 Monday morning in the 1000 block of Ford Street South, where Ford meets Kingsway at a curve in the road.
Tim ten Have told TBNewswatch the female driver "was going at a high rate of speed down Kingsway" and was "all over the road."
At the end of Kingsway, he said, the SUV went over the curb and collided with his dad's house, demolishing the deck and causing other structural damage to the home.
Ten Have said his 83-year-old father, Bill, had been sitting on the deck just 30 seconds before.
His dad agreed that it was a very close call, saying he easily could have died.
"I was sitting on my step, getting some fresh air, watching the traffic go by...and I decided to go behind the house to check on my dog. Then I heard this bang," Bill said.
He said he walked back to the front and found his whole deck "completely gone, and an SUV sitting in my neighbour's yard."
Tim ten Have said his mother was also planning to go outside around the same time the accident occurred, so he feels fortunate that neither of his parents was hurt.
A 30-year-old Thunder Bay woman was arrested by police at the scene and charged with possession of cocaine, impaired driving and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Police said that, just prior to the collision, a vehicle was seen proceeding westbound on Arthur Street where it turned into oncoming traffic before making a left onto Kingsway.
The driver also allegedly went through a four-way stop at Walsh Street.
In the SUV, police officers found a quantity of suspected crack cocaine as well as paraphernalia consistent with drug use.
The woman was taken to hospital for unspecified medical treatment following her arrest.
Ten Have said his parents have kept their house in immaculate condition, but now must go through the process of filing an insurance claim.
"It makes it more complicated for them because she had no insurance," he said.
According to court records, the woman was charged in June of this year with operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
