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GRANTSVILLE — A Grantsville man caused thousands of dollars in damage Thursday in a big crash that occurred after he inhaled aerosol fumes, police said.
Police responded at 6:25 a.m. to a scene of damage at 275 W. Durfee Street, after an 18-year-old Ray Lewis drove his mother's car off the roadway.
He "took out a couple of mailboxes, hit a big decorational rock in front of another house, veered across the road, sheared off a fire hydrant, went between the telephone poles, took out the fence and planted his mom's car in the front of this nice lady's house," said Grantsville Police Lt. Steve Barrett. "He basically said, "This is what I did and just take me to jail.' "
Although the hydrant was toppled, the plate was not ruptured and water was not spraying, Barrett said. The car was totaled. The home received minor damage to the siding. Those inside the home did not wake up until police were on scene investigating.
According to police, the man's mother did not know he had her car. The driver was not injured, but police smelled alcohol on his breath and said he had other substances in his system.
“He’d been huffing aerosol — I don’t know what you call it — stuff you clean your keyboard with," Barrett said. "He just basically said this is what I did and just
After questioning the man, officers planned to release him to his mother's care.
"The vehicle has been impounded. He's looking at DUI, driving without a license, numerous traffic violations (charges)," Barrett said.
Cars crashing into homes are not uncommon. In fact, West Valley police get an average of one car crashing into a home per month, according to Ed Domian, the city's chief building official.
"It's not that unusual. … The most important thing for them to remember is if it happens, just call 911 and then everybody will respond and we'll take care of them the best we can," he said.
Contributing: Keith McCord
