AMAZING pictures show the moments after an SUV sailed through the roof of a home belonging to a couple who thought they were experiencing an earthquake.
The crash happened shortly before 12:30am on Wednesday in Escondido, California.
Police told U-T San Diego that the driver of a BMW lost control during a turn, went off a road and plunged through the roof of a home that sits about six metres below the roadway.
Homeowner George Strother says the BMW landed on the hood of his Nissan Pathfinder in his garage and knocked the ceiling down onto another car. He and his wife weren’t hurt.
Police say it appears the driver of the BMW wasn’t hurt either.
Mr Strother said he and his wife thought there had been an earthquake and didn’t know a vehicle had smashed into their garage until police pounded on their door.
He said the driver must have gone out the passenger window of the BMW, through a hole in the wall and jumped down onto his ski boat parked outside.
Sgt. Jim Lanigan says the car was a loaner from a dealership and the driver fled.
“You can see where he was turning onto the side streeet and was going too fast,†Lanigan said. “The speed I don’t know, but enough that it couldn’t make the turn and launched itself.â€
There were no signs of alcohol and no blood in the SUV to indicate the driver was injured, Sgt. Lanigan said.
Mr Strother said he didn’t have an estimate on the cost of damages but a city inspector said the garage could probably be repaired. He said his cars might be totalled, although he was waiting to meet with insurance agents.