Elkhart couple cleaning up a week after crash dumps 1.6 million gallons of water in front yard

Feb. 08--ELKHART -- The last week has been wet and difficult for Michael and Sandy Baker.

Their house on the corner of Modrell Boulevard and Johnson Street suffered the most damage when a pickup truck drove into a fire hydrant in their yard on Jan. 28, causing more than 1.6 million gallons of water to spew out of the ground. The resulting flood inundated the Bakers' house and much of the immediate neighborhood.

"My septic ran continuously every 30 seconds," Michael said. "I have 8-and-a-half inches of sand on my lawn."

Sandy said it looks like they live on a beach. She can't help but get emotional when she talks about her yard, something she has poured her heart into over the 33 years she has lived there.

"I am broken-hearted, numb, paralyzed," said Sandy. "I have lost my passion."

Questions about what damage might have been done to their home will last through the summer. Michael said he has been told that his septic system could be floating and that it could take six to eight months before they get a full picture of how much damage their home received.

Their in-ground pool is another source of concern. They are worried about what the water might have done to the pool's walls, because one collapsed previously due to past water issues.

"There was just so much water," said Michael. "It was running so fast by our house, it was like being in either the St. Joseph or Elkhart River."

The response from the city has been slow and heartless, according to the Bakers. They say city officials have shown them very little compassion.

"We had a code enforcement officer come and tell us that we needed to write a letter of intent on our fence that was damaged by the water. He wanted to know what we were going to do about the broken fence," said Sandy.

NO SUSPECTS

What stings even more is the fact that police have shown little progress in tracking down the driver of the pickup truck that ran into the hydrant. A passenger in the truck got out to survey the damage after they hit the hydrant, but the driver was able to get free and drove off without the passenger.

The passenger was uncooperative at the scene and Elkhart police officers eventually released him from custody without filing charges, said Elkhart Police Department spokesman Sgt. Chris Snyder. Police have no further information on who caused the crash, but are still investigating the incident.

Rumors that the driver was intoxicated spurred Sandy to spraypaint the message, "Think before you drink" on a portion of her fence facing the intersection of Modrell Boulevard and Johnson Street.

Nicole Read, who also lives in the neighborhood, told Elkhart City Council members on Monday night that she was very concerned about the lackluster response of the police department.

"Why was this individual not detained?" she questioned. "Why was he not questioned properly, especially with all of the damage done to the neighborhood?"

CLEANING UP THE PIECES

Sandy said they have been directed by city officials to have their insurance company work with the city. She has faith in Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese to do the right thing, but she is still fustrated by the city's response so far.

"This appears to have been a learning experience for them, although at my cost," Sandy said.

Both of the Bakers said they have been mistreated by code enforcement and other city officials. They are angry and do their best to bite their lips when they talk about the situation.

City officials at the meeting Monday did not respond to the Bakers' concerns about the tone and demeanor of city employees.

Much like the water that upended their lives, the Bakers have a flood of emotions take over when they step out their front door.

"This was my sanctuary. Now I just don't care," Sandy said.

Follow Ben Quiggle on Twitter @BenQuiggle

___

(c)2017 The Elkhart Truth (Elkhart, Ind).

Visit The Elkhart Truth (Elkhart, Ind). at www.elkharttruth.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.