By David C.L. Bauer, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Ill. The Tribune Content Agency
Donations were starting to come in Tuesday for a Chapin family rousted from their sleep when an SUV went through a wall of their house and became wedged halfway inside one of the rooms.
The house at 213 Ash St. is at Ash Street's intersection with New Street. A driver apparently failed to stop at a stop sign and his sport utility vehicle traveled across the family's yard and into the house about 12:21 a.m. Saturday, according to a Morgan County Sheriff's Department report.
The Aaron Peterson family was asleep at the time and none of the family was injured, although friend Constance Burghardt said the SUV narrowly missed their son's room.
The kitchen, heating and air conditioning system and more were destroyed, said Burghardt, who has started a GoFundMe to help with costs and living expenses while repairs are made.
"The driver was uninsured, and the Petersons are now facing hefty repair costs, including a large insurance deductible," according to GoFundMe communications manager Ese Esan.
Damage to the house has been estimated at $30,000 to $50,000.
The driver, William L. Adams, 63, of Jacksonville, has been cited on charges of operating an uninsured motor vehicle, disobeying a traffic control device, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane use, according to the sheriff's department.
Adams had to be extricated from the vehicle and was treated at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital for minor injuries, according to the sheriff's department report. He told deputies he did not know what happened and that he might have fallen asleep. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 4.
Burghardt is hoping to raise at least $3,500. Almost $1,000 had been raised by midday Tuesday.
"Any contribution will make a difference," she said.
Donations can be made at gofund.me/86ea7dde.