A doorbell camera in St. Louis, Missouri, captured the shocking moment when a speeding car crashed into a home on Tuesday, July 18, resulting in the death of an elderly driver.
The collision created a gaping hole in the home located on Kingston Drive, narrowly missing a three-year-old child who was inside at the time.
Veronica Schoettle, a tenant of the house, revealed that her nephew was on a bed adjacent to the wall that was impacted when the car careened into the property. The car was traveling at an alarming speed, estimated to be around 100 mph. The force of the impact pushed both the bed and the child several feet, but fortunately, the young boy emerged unharmed. Three other people were present in the house during the incident.
The driver, a 73-year-old woman whose identity has not been disclosed, tragically lost her life at the scene. Preliminary investigations indicate that she was driving well above the designated speed limit of 40 mph. Startling footage from the incident suggests that the vehicle was traveling at least 100 mph, launching into the air and clearing an SUV parked in the front yard before colliding with the house.
Witnesses recounted the harrowing experience, including Derek Wentzel, a resident of the house, who shared that the car missed the child by mere inches. Authorities suspect that the driver may have been affected by a medical condition, although this claim has not been confirmed.
With the home now boarded up, the Wentzel family faces the daunting task of rebuilding their lives after this traumatic event. The damage to the house is believed to be irreparable, with officials assessing the property as a potential total loss.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene, piecing together the details surrounding the incident. The crash occurred shortly before 2:30 pm when the vehicle was traveling northbound on Kingston Drive toward Telegraph Road at an exceptionally high speed. After veering off-road and striking an embankment, the car became airborne, as shown in the later part of the available footage.
The investigation remains ongoing. The devastated family and local authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in the inquiry.