Suncoast: An older couple had a rude and unwelcomed surprise from an SUV last night
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
Charlotte County Fire and EMS
An older couple had a rude and unwelcomed surprise Saturday evening when a tan SUV lost control on Easy St. and crashed into their home.
The SUV went through half the house before stopping in the kitchen at 7 pm. The accident caused the refrigerator to fall on the 89 year old home owner, pinning him beneath it.
Neighbors, one who is a Punta Gorda Firefighter, jumped into action and lifted the fridge off him and stabilized it before we arrived.
Because of the mechanism of injury (being hit by the fridge, which was slammed by the vehicle) he was flown with a broken ankle to Lee Memorial. His wife was in a back room at the time of the accident and was not injured. The driver was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The building department ruled the home unsafe. Squad 12C secured and boarded the house up. FP&L pulled the electric meter. The Red Cross is working with the family to help them with lodging.
CCSO and FHP are investigating the crash.
Batt 2C, Engine 1C, Engine 8C, Squad 12C, Tech 12C, Rescues 1C, 10C, and 12C responded.
