Teen escapes injury as car crashes through Salt Lake City home


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SALT LAKE CITY — A teenage boy sitting in his bedroom was almost hit by a car Thursday night when a driver lost control and slammed into the house. Police said the young driver only had his learners permit and was possibly doing double the speed limit.

The accident happened at 1978 W. Sir James Drive (680 N.) in Salt Lake City. Police saod the young driver of the Dodge Neon was going too fast and missed the turn.

"We're guessing (he was going) between 40 and 60 miles per hour," said Salt Lake City Police Lt. Bryce Johnson.

Miretza Rauda lives in the house. While she wasn't exactly sure how to describe the sound she heard when the car went hit her home, she vividly remembered knowing her son was in the same room as the car.

"I was thinking he was dead, something was wrong; and I was screaming his name," Rauda said.

Francisco Ayala, 16, was in the room, but he wasn't hurt.

"I heard a loud explosion, and I woke up coughing," Ayala said. "And then I heard my mom outside screaming my name."

He crawled out the hole the car left behind and ran to his mother.

"She just grabbed me and started hugging me," he said.

Police said the driver had a few cuts on his head, but was otherwise OK. He is expected to be charged with reckless driving and receive a driving violation.

Using airbags and cables, firefighters eventually pulled the car out of the house. The family planned to stay with relatives Thursday night.

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Alex Cabrero

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