Dec. 24—A success-and-run driver left an East Vandergrift household in a vacation lurch after smashing into all 4 of their automobiles Tuesday outdoors their residence alongside Kennedy Avenue.
Heather Bothell mentioned she heard loud banging and crashing sounds about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday whereas in her dwelling.
Bothell instantly ran outdoors and noticed a Chrysler driving away. The motive force left behind injury to the vehicles and a brick storage subsequent door to Bothell’s dwelling.
Solely one of many household’s 4 vehicles is working, and even it has points, Bothell mentioned.
“We’re down to 1 automotive, and it has been tough. It is also proper earlier than Christmas, so my youngest son is taking the one automotive that we will nonetheless drive to work.”
Bothell, 44, and her son, Jay, 22, are members of the Oklahoma Borough Volunteer Hearth Division.
“It is brought on a lot stress simply earlier than the vacations. The motive force has left three of us vehicle-less, which can have an effect on our jobs, and, now, we won’t reply to our native hearth corridor for hearth calls,” Jay Bothell mentioned. “It is deeply affected me as a result of I used to be out of labor a month resulting from a piece injury, and the Jeep was to be offered to assist me financially. And now it is totaled. I now have zero funds and am tremendous far in debt.”
Heather Bothell works full time at Prepare dinner Medical and often works time beyond regulation in December to earn more money for the vacations.
“I’ve not been in a position to work time beyond regulation due to logistics with three individuals sharing one automotive now,” Bothell mentioned. “I am a single mother, and I depend on the time beyond regulation. And I am dropping cash.”
Moreover, Bothell deliberate to hunt deer subsequent week however mentioned she will’t take their solely functioning automotive and go looking all day.
“I will not be capable of fill my freezer with venison like regular. Venison is a number of our meat sources,” Bothell mentioned.
Heather Bothell mentioned Vandergrift police are investigating and informed her the hit-and-run automotive was situated in Parks Township, however she was undecided whether or not costs have been filed in opposition to the motive force.
Vandergrift police haven’t responded to requests for remark. Parks Township police Chief John Arce mentioned he was unaware of any investigation.
The Bothells mentioned they submitted video from their safety digicam to help police.
“I am praying that insurance coverage covers the losses. We’re down to 1 automotive indefinitely for now,” Bothell mentioned.
Bothell thanked members of the Vandergrift Police Division and the family and friends member who’ve helped for the reason that crash.
“Luckily, no one was injured, and I thank the police for his or her swift response and their work on the investigation. It was a devastating second for me, and so they have been so very sort,” Bothell mentioned.
Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Overview employees author. You’ll be able to contact Joyce by e mail at jhanz@triblive.com or through Twitter .
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