Impaired driver charged after car crashes in Kitchener home: WRPS

Waterloo Regional Police have laid charges after a car crashed into the side of a Kitchener home at 3:30 a.m.

Police said early Friday morning, they saw a car driving northbound on Fischer-Hallman Road, in the southbound lanes.

“Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop, however, police lost site of the vehicle as it left at a high rate of speed,” WRPS said in a news release.

A car crashed into a Kitchener home on Oct. 4, 2024. (CTV News/Tyler Kelaher)

Police received a call that the same vehicle crashed into a house near Uplands Drive and Forest Hill Drive.

Police said they removed the driver from the vehicle before the vehicle caught on fire.

There were no reports of any physical injuries.

The car can be seen on its side before it was removed by a tow truck on Oct. 4, 2024. (CTV News/Tyler Kelaher)

The people living in the home said they heard a loud bang and had no idea what happened until they went outside.

“There is a car in my backyard, next to my house, almost in my house,” the homeowner told CTV News.

A neighbour, Gerard Warkus, said the vehicle clipped a hydro pole and knocked down a tree before crossing a public walkway and crashing through a neighbours fence.

“There was banging going on and from what I understand it was the driver trying to kick out the back window,” he said. “The policeman came up right away, ran into the car even though there was a fire starting underneath the car. he got the person out of the car.”

The homeowners said the vehicle destroyed their AC unit and pool heater.

The home’s gas was also shut off because of a severed line.

They said they spoke to insurance and fear the damages could be upwards of $10,000.

The homeowner said it could have been even worse.

“It could have actually hit this part of the house where my sister was sleeping last night,” said the homeowner. “If that car would have taken a different trajectory and taken out this corner of the wall I don’t think I’d have my sister.” 

A car that crashed into a Kitchener home Oct. 4, 2024. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV News)

A 30-year-old Waterloo man is facing the following charges:

• Impaired operation of a motor vehicle (by alcohol)
• Flight from a peace officer
• Dangerous Operation

Anyone with information of dashcam footage is asked to contact police.