CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – A quiet evening turned chaotic in a Long Island neighborhood when a speeding car careened off the road and crashed into a backyard, narrowly missing a pool where two children were playing under the watchful eye of their grandmother. The dramatic incident unfolded Thursday evening, leaving the family in shock and the community on edge.
Surveillance footage captured the heart-stopping moment when the vehicle tore through the fence, sending debris flying and causing significant damage. The car came to a halt teetering over the edge of the backyard pool. The driver, seemingly unfazed by the crash, climbed out from the passenger side, retrieved his coat and phone, and calmly walked away, aided by two individuals in a trailing vehicle.
The homeowner, returning from work, was alarmed by the scene but relieved to find his family unharmed. “The first thing I thought was, are my mom and kids okay? They are, and then, we will fix this,” he recounted.
The abandoned car at the scene emitted a strong odor of marijuana, raising concerns about the driver’s state at the time of the crash. Neighbors expressed frustration over the reckless driving that has plagued the area, which lacks stop signs on its long, hilly blocks. “Driving at that speed in this residential area is unacceptable. These are the things that can happen,” lamented a local resident.
This incident echoes a similar occurrence from the previous year, where another speeding vehicle crashed across the street and fled the scene. The pattern of reckless driving and hit-and-run incidents has left residents demanding stricter traffic enforcement.
The Pesando family now faces the daunting task of cleaning up the hazardous materials left behind by the crash, including oil and gas that contaminated their pool. The pool deck and fencing also sustained heavy damage. Despite the upheaval, the family remains determined to restore their home.
Authorities have confirmed that the vehicle was not reported stolen, complicating the search for the elusive driver. Police are actively investigating the incident, urging anyone with information to come forward.