Home   Maidstone   News   Article

Car crashes into house in Lucerne Street, Maidstone

A family has been left homeless after a car rammed into their house in Maidstone last night.

Sam Grief was waiting for his friend to pick him up when the accident happened at 7.20pm.

"I was walking up the road, I saw it happen," he said.

Scroll down for video

Picture: Ian Ingles
Picture: Ian Ingles

Police were called after a white Fiat Punto careened through the front door of the property in Lucerne Street.

Bradley Holloway, of Avington Close, Maidstone, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle whilst over the legal alcohol limit following the crash.

The 22-year-old has been bailed to appear at Maidstone Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 27.

The family living at the property has been moved into emergency accommodation while the council assesses the damage and carries out temporary repairs to make the building safe.

The car hit a main support for the front of the house, and is currently wedged in the front window.

It is remaining in situ until the property can be supported.

The incident comes as snow and ice lashed Kent, creating treacherous driving conditions.

Nuno Peixoto lives next door, and heard the accident happen.

Video: A car crashed into a house in Maidstone

Strangely, the 35-year-old pipe fitter had remarked to his girlfriend about how he thought there would be a crash on the road because of the poor weather moments before the incident happened.

"I heard the sound of brakes screeching and then felt the vibrations as the car crashed," he said.

Glen Parkes lives in nearby Hedley Street and heard the collision.

The 54-year-old photographer said: "It was a bit of a shocker.

"I heard the screeching sound a good 50-60 yards up the road and then a bang as it [the car] hit the window.

"The family that were in there were lucky they were in the back room at the time."

Mr Parkes said Hedley Street and Lucerne Street are usually packed with cars parked over night, often close enough together to block access by ambulances and fire engines.

Picture: Sam Grief
Picture: Sam Grief

He said last year an ambulance coming to take him to hospital was forced to reverse down his road to pick him up.

"The road is not adequately maintained by the council, side streets seem to be an afterthought in Maidstone," he added.

Nobody was injured in this incident.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More