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Driver injured after vehicle crashes into Allegan Co. home

Posted at 2:20 PM, Mar 30, 2015
and last updated 2015-03-30 19:15:08-04

LEIGHTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A 61-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after police say she crashed her minivan into a home Monday afternoon north of Wayland.

Emergency crews were called to the 800 block of 146th Avenue in Leighton Township around 2 p.m. according to the Allegan County Sheriff's Department.

Officials say the woman told police a medical surgical boot she was wearing became caught in the gas pedal causing her to lose control. Alcohol is not believed to have played a role in the crash.

The homeowners were not home at the time of the accident. Family of the homeowners arrived on scene early Monday evening and tell FOX 17 the room impacted by the minivan is where several of the family's grandchildren usually play.

Tire tracks show where the van left 146th Avenue before crashing into home.

Tire tracks show where the van left 146th Avenue before crashing into home.

Family members said they were grateful no one was home and none of the kids were playing in the room at the time of the crash.

The home might have to be torn down because the van took out a load-bearing beam in the center crucial to supporting the structure of the house, according to the homeowner and police.

“It’s pretty extensive, it goes from the east side of the home all the way to the center of the home and a support structure beam, what we call a load bearing wall has been taken out," said David Ashton, a deputy with the Allegan County Sheriff's Department.

“I don’t think it’s any one's anticipation to come home from work and find a hole in their house, it’s quite a shock."

Officials had expressed concern over the roof possibly collapsing if the van was pulled out. Crews were able to successfully pull the vehicle from the home a few hours after the crash without incident.

"It’s really questionable, right now it’s not going to be livable," Ashton said.

The homeowner told FOX 17 they had learned about the accident after seeing pictures online and originally thought the call from police was a prank.