Car crashes into house in North Sewickley Twp.

April 04--NORTH SEWICKLEY TWP. -- A house in North Sewickley Township was damaged when a car driven by an Ellwood City man crashed into it early Wednesday morning, police said.

Timothy Patterson, 28, was was flown by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian after his car drove into the house at 1225 Mercer Road, North Sewickley Township Police Chief Jeff Becze said.

Police said Patterson had been staying with a female relative in Chippewa Township on Tuesday night. The woman later reported to police that the man had been "drinking all night" and took her car sometime after she went to bed at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Becze said Patterson drove to North Sewickley and crashed into the front of the house at about 2:45 a.m. The car drove through the chimney area and caused "substantial damage," Becze said. Residents were home at the time, but were not injured, he said.

According to online court records, the house is owned by Donna K. Cole.

The North Sewickley Township Fire Department, as well as a tactical rescue team, worked to extract the car from the building.

Becze said the cause of the crash is still under investigation. While a report was made that the driver had been drinking, Becze said police are still investigating the claim.

He said speed is often a factor in crashes along Mercer Road.

"If you're not familiar with the road and (driving) quickly, the bend can be pretty difficult to negotiate," he said.

Police are also investigating if the man had permission to use his family member's vehicle.

Dan Kegley, a project manager with Paul Davis Restoration of Beaver Falls, said his company was called to evaluate damage to the structure. The residents were evacuated and are staying with family in the area, he said.

The crash caused the brick of the fireplace to collapse, Kegley said. That then "took out an exterior wall" and essentially shifted the house between 6 and 8 inches, he said.

The biggest concern, Kegley said, is making sure the home is structurally safe while the homeowners work with their insurance company to move forward with renovations.

According to Kegley, the home has been hit by a car in the past, as well.

Kegley said the residents will be able to return to their home after a structural engineer clears the structure and renovations.

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