HOUSE FILLS WITH GAS AFTER CRASH

NEIGHBORS EVACUATED WHEN
GAS LEVELS REACH “EXPLOSIVE”

Elyria – Neighbors surrounding 875 North West River Road were evacuated by Firefighters early Friday morning after a gas line was snapped during a crash and gas filled a home.

Police say that 21 year old Justin Willis of Elyria was traveling south on West River when he lost control of his car and went off the left side of the road. Willis’ car first struck and snapped a small tree, then went through a chain link fence, a small peach tree, a wooden fence and then the corner the house. When the car hit the house it snapped a gas line, took out a basement window and moved some concrete blocks.

The snapped line began pouring gas into the home filling it to levels that Fire officials say were beyond explosive. With that Firefighters began knocking on doors to evacuate neighbors. About a dozen people quickly woke up the kids and moved down the street and watched as the scene unfolded.

Willis’ passenger was treated on scene and transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital with a broken arm and other injuries.

Willis said that while traveling north on West River he saw a man on a bike pull in front of him causing him to swerve. “I first went off the right side of the road a little bit then when I got back on the road the car was already going sideways.” The ride then through the yards was all done sideways with the passenger side taking all the hits. Willis said he believes he was traveling at about 40 MPH at the time of the crash.

Police said several Officers came from different directions but did not see anyone on a bicycle.

Willis was charged with Reasonable Control.


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