First responders blocked off a portion of Alder Street after a car collided into a house at about 5:19 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Police spoke to the driver while she remained seated in her 2024 Toyota RAV4, uninjured.
Rose Peda, who lives in the rental house, said she was sitting in her living room when she was literally jolted as the SUV struck the corner of the house. Her initial thought was that a tree fell down.
It sounded “like a sonic boom,” she said.
Landlord Bob Skinner, who lives next door, said he could feel his home shake.
“It was quite the surprise,” he said.
Sweet Home Police Department reported Melissa Kay Wise, 68, was driving southbound on 10th Avenue at about 30 mph when she failed to negotiate a westbound turn onto Alder Street. She first struck through a wood fence on the southwest corner of Alder Street and 10th, then crossed Alder in a northerly direction and ran through the wire fence before striking the house.
“It was a pretty significant smack,” Skinner said. “There were neighbors down the street that could hear the hit.”
The foundation of the house was broken on each side of the corner, and the wall sustained damage.
Wise told Skinner she just had to have her dog put down that day.
During the investigation, officers developed probable cause to believe Wise was impaired. A breath test was administered and preliminary results indicated a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit.
She was subsequently arrested for DUII, reckless driving and reckless endangering.
“Maybe somebody will see this and have one less drink,” Skinner said.