Crime & Safety
Pickup Crashes Into House Wednesday Night
A driver is booked for suspicion of drunken driving after crashing into a San Ramon home.
A Folsom man was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing his Dodge pickup into a San Ramon house, destroying the front portion of the building, police said.
Sgt. Terry Reeder of the San Ramon Police Department said reports came in at about 7:20 p.m. of a crashed truck that had destroyed most of the front living room of the house at 414 Santander Drive.
After being taken into custody, the driver–28-year-old Robert Newman–was taken to San Ramon Regional Hospital for minor injuries, said Officer Troy Montemayor of the San Ramon police department.
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No one has reported witnessing the crash, but police found no skid marks during their investigation, said Montemayor.
"There's nothing to indicate he tried to stop," he said.
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No one was in the house when the crash happened, but Montemayor said the homeowner was notified and was on her way.
Two fire engines also were on scene, and firefighters aided in adding temporary supports to the house so the pick-up truck could be towed away.
"We're just shoring up the house to make sure it doesn't collapse any further," said Battalion Chief John Viera of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District.
A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was the first to show up after the crash.
"I was just sitting there reading a magazine, and it sounded like a bomb went off," he said.
After coming outside to see the damage, the neighbor said he approached the pickup driver and took the keys away from him. The driver then reportedly crawled out of the car through the passenger door and came outside the house.
The neighbor said he persuaded the driver to sit on the curb and wait until officers arrived.
Many nearby residents crowded around the crash scene to get a glimpse of the large hole left in the house by the pickup. Some said this was not the first accident of its kind.
In January this year, a car reportedly crashed into another vehicle parked in front of the same Santander residence.
Neighbors said many drivers take the curve too fast, and some spoke of asking that the city install a speed bump to prevent further accidents.
Police urge anyone who witnessed the crash to help in the investigation by calling 973-2779.
