"We heard a big thump!" says John Allen, as he shows FOX 29's Bruce Gordon around the wreckage of his backyard in Warminster.
Allen was describing the SUV that crashed through there in the pre-dawn hours of December 26- the fifth time errant drivers have come calling since the late 1970s and the fourth time since 2005.
The crashes are so frequent, Allen has installed metal bollards, a wooden fence and a row of Poplar trees to slow down the misguided vehicles.
"I'm glad the tree was here to stop 'em!" says Allen, although the tree clipped the gutter on the back of his house when it crashed down after being struck by the SUV.
Allen's house sits at the end of a dentist's office parking lot that is perfectly aligned with a ‘T' intersection along the border of Montgomery County and Bucks County.
Where Meetinghouse Road dead ends into County Line, confused motorists may think the parking lot is a continuation of Meetinghouse.
It isn't.
Allen says he's reached out to township officials, county officials and PennDOT for help getting improved signage or something to block those errant vehicles from crashing onto his property.
"The sense I get is that they'd rather I didn't bother them. My wife is scared to death. She won't sleep- she sleeps downstairs for her back on the couch. She won't sleep downstairs anymore," because she's afraid of a car coming through the back wall of their home.
It's gotten so bad, Allen's taken to parking his car at the end of the dentist's office parking lot overnight- with reflectors taped onto the windows- hoping errant drivers will stop in time- or hit the car and not his house.
Finally, he called FOX 29.
"I'm desperate! I'll reach out to anybody!!"
Gordon spent the afternoon on the phone, first with PennDOT officials, and then with Warminster's township manager. Warminster officials have agreed to request that PennDOT install large, new signs at the entrance to that dentist's office, reminding drivers that it's a parking lot- not a road.
PennDOT officials have told Gordon they will consider such a request, and seemed to agree that improved signage just might keep traffic out of Allen's yard.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 6:34 PM EDT2013-06-12 22:34:31 GMT
The Trenton Titans minor league ice hockey team closed up shop back in April, for reasons that have never been fully explained. Now, season ticket holders have lost their team and their money.
The Trenton Titans minor league ice hockey team closed up shop back in April, for reasons that have never been fully explained. Now, season ticket holders have lost their team and their money.
Friday, December 7 2012 6:04 PM EST2012-12-07 23:04:33 GMT
December 7th, 1941, is of course "a date which will live in infamy." Seventy-one years ago today, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into World War II. The assault on the Hawaiian
December 7th, 1941, is of course "a date which will live in infamy." Seventy-one years ago today, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into World War II. The assault on the Hawaiian
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:07 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:07:39 GMT
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:14 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:14:04 GMT
Parents at a Port Richmond playground say they fear for their kids' safety. They feel intimidated by a street person living, nearly full time, in the park!
Parents at a Port Richmond playground say they fear for their kids' safety. They feel intimidated by a street person living, nearly full time, in the park!
Wednesday, June 12 2013 6:34 PM EDT2013-06-12 22:34:31 GMT
The Trenton Titans minor league ice hockey team closed up shop back in April, for reasons that have never been fully explained. Now, season ticket holders have lost their team and their money.
The Trenton Titans minor league ice hockey team closed up shop back in April, for reasons that have never been fully explained. Now, season ticket holders have lost their team and their money.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:35 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:49 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:49:38 GMT
Everyone remembers Cabbage Patch Dolls. They were those cherub-faced dolls that had yarn hair. A fan of those dolls is making and selling wigs to look exactly like the toy!They come in all shapes, sizes
Everyone remembers Cabbage Patch Dolls. They were those cherub-faced dolls that had yarn hair. A fan of those dolls is making and selling wigs to look exactly like the toy!They come in all shapes, sizes
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:37 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:37:45 GMT
Thursday weather looks spectacular with mostly sunny skies and low humidity levels. A light jacket may be needed early in the day with lows in the 50s, but under sunny skies temperatures climb into the low 80s. Along the coast highs top out in the mid 70s. Winds will be out of the WSW 5-10 mph. High 83. Low 58.
Metal bollards are seen outside of John Allen's home. Allen says he installed them with the hope of slowing down the misguided vehicles.
