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Brynn Gingras / NBC Connecticut
A man in New Haven was sleeping until a car crashed into his house and landed on top of him.
A Connecticut man woke up to a real-life nightmare early Tuesday morning when a car police were pursuing slammed into his apartment while he was sleeping and landed on top of him.
Just after 12:30 a.m., Hamden Police spotted a BMW wanted for motor vehicle violations and attempted to stop the driver.
Police pursued the car from Hamden to New Haven, through the Southern Connecticut State University campus and into the Newhallville section of New Haven.
For more, visit NBCConnecticut.com
Hamden Police made several attempts to stop the fleeing BMW, police said, but the driver lost control, crashed through a first-floor apartment at 91 Winchester Ave. and fled.
Michael Sweat, 34, a tenant, was trapped beneath the car for more than an hour as rescuers attempted to free him.
Sweat was taken to the Hospital of St. Raphael with second- and third-degree burns to his lower body and is expected to recover.
New Haven police were not involved in the pursuit, but are searching for the driver of the BMW who fled the scene. State police are also assisting in the investigation.
New Haven emergency crews and the building inspector are expected to remain at the scene for several hours to remove the car from inside the apartment and to determine if the multifamily house is structurally sound.
Leave a Comment:
Sounds like they didn't even apprehend the driver. I hope this unlucky guy at least has health insurance, renter's or owner's insurance and a good lawyer.
A prime example of bad things happening to good people. He wil probably be scared for life, and he was sleeping.
G
I swear to God, I would have had a heart attack.
I am one of these people that fall out of bed from time to time when having a nightmare. Went to the doctor the other day with badly bruised elbow. If I would have been awakened by a BMW on top of me, I would first think it was the nightmare to end all nightmares and THEN I would have had the heart attack.
the driver didn't brake... a sweat...
plain bob, that comment.. *puts on sunglasses*.. made my day.
Sue the cops. They were clearly negligent in their pursuit of the suspect endangering a citizen asleep in his bed. In addition, sue the auto manufacturer who designed a vehicle with exhaust system that did not guard against disfiguring burns to a man asleep in bed. Also sue the owner of the dwelling for failing to guard a sleeping tenant from abuse by parking car in bedroom. The wall did not provide reasonable structural design to deny entrance to a moving vehicle from outside. Also sue the state for negligence..in that it does not have a formal procedure of remedy for a person in this exact medical situation that clearly involves major psychological dysfunction impairing the man's ability to obtain reasonably effective comfort to ever again successfully achieve sleep without FEAR of a car landing on top of him. Delayed stress syndrome is not a small issue faced by this man and must incur substantial expensive remedies. I hope the victim is not so foolish as to hire only one attorney to provide a bottom line assessment of all the compensations for which he qualifies subsequent to the rather RUDE interruption of his right to sleep without being disturbed by city traffic and city administrators fumble-bumbling their duties. It matters NOT that they TRIED to stop the criminal... The FACT is they did NOT stop the criminal and they DID encourage the final parking place as a direct effect of their persistent pursuit. This fills every definition of a TORT. Sic em boys.
@ jk, those of us with common sense do NOT "swear" TO, OR AT GOD...remember this, when you stand before Him on Judgement day. His Name is HOLY AND ONLY TO BE USED FOR PRAISE AND WORSHIP.!!!
CT - I am sure he's lready been contacted by a number of good lawyers.
And I know of one future change in his life -- no more setting the bed against the outside wall.....
@ Critical Thinker, How do you know this bad thing happened to a good person?
Sorry, I did have to laugh when I read that story...
@branxoz, those of us with common sense don't believe in that fairy tale. Beside the word GOD is just a word. Get over yourself.
branxoz - just kidding!! :) (Don't take comments on newsvine too seriously!)
@branxoz - those of us with common sense realize that a God that was willing to turn a good man/woman/child away from heaven for a simple turn of phrase would be an @!$%#. Are you saying he/she/it IS one?
pkesmom
@branxoz, those of us with common sense don't believe in that fairy tale. Beside the word GOD is just a word. Get over yourself! "NO, YOU get over it! Atheists need to quit attacking those who believe! And do you have proof God doesn't exist? MMMMMM?
The city should be responsible for the medical costs.
I hope the injured man sues the city and the police department for his injuries, it was their actions that caused this man to be injured in his sleep. With all the forms of communication now and all the police out there, there was no need to get in a high speed persuit of the driver, and I don't think that motor vehical violations, as reported should be cause to chase a man through a apartment wall. Put the officer in the unemployment line, and let him chase a job!
HandyRooney: Fine comment, Lol. I was going to write something sarcastic, but you beat me to it.
Put you in a clueless line and let you chase a Brain!
So the driver crashes into an apartment building, and they STILL didn't get him?? What happened to the unfortunately-named victim is terrible, and I sincerely wish him the best in his recovery. But, the real news here is the colossal stupidity and incompetence of the police. Unbelievable.
@ critical thinker(maine), think critical ! the victim don't have to worry about renters insurance ,health insurance or medical insurance , as the BMW'owners motor vehicle insurance has to pick up the whole tab !they have to pay for all the damages done to the victim if the BMW was insured,plus you know the victim will sue the balls off of the driver and owner too !
what luck...i definitely feel for this dude
Carrie-229037--------what proof do you have that he does exist? The Bible which is the original Aesop's Fables doesn't count as proof.
God could settle an argument for everyone by just showing him/her self for all to see. End all arguments and religious wars for good. When thinking about the state this entire world is in I think a "Loving" God could make this small sacrifice to correct his flawed product. As a former brainwashed Catholic I need more than words.
Oh and BMW should be sued for building a car that can slice through a wall. That or they have their new Super Bowl Commercial.
branxoz 1.6;
Your imaginary sky fairy can address the mistletoe hanging from the back of my belt.
CXM wrote; @branxoz - those of us with common sense realize that a God that was willing to turn a good man/woman/child away from heaven for a simple turn of phrase would be an @!$%#. Are you saying he/she/it IS one? 1.12"
The Bible demonstrates it is nothing but that. Job. The scripted 'sins' of the father fall on the sons for the next seven generations. The whole Garden of Eden idiocy, and more.
carrie wrote;
"
pkesmom
@branxoz, those of us with common sense don't believe in that fairy tale. Beside the word GOD is just a word. Get over yourself! "NO, YOU get over it! Atheists need to quit attacking those who believe! And do you have proof God doesn't exist? MMMMMM?"
Ummmmm, the person who said God was just a word is correct. For that individual who lacks belief in God it is just a word. To use your own words-get over yourself! The only 'attack' was by you. No need to be so insecure in your faith. Lighten up.
stoney,
three posts in a row...
do you stutter or just like to hear yourself talk.
The article was about a car accident. Go to a forum about religion for your God bashing
branxoz- isn't "God's" name really Jehovah, and God, Lord etc are titles given to address?
I'm pretty sure there was some big to-do a couple weeks ago about people changing the bible back to the 'original' form, and addressing that specific issue... Of course, expecting you to know that would be assuming intelligence, which you've already exhibited that you lack a considerable amount of...
Anyway, regarding the story- sucks for the guy sleeping. I know quite a few municipalities have made 'no chase' rules to avoid crap like this- it's less risky to get the plate and description and catch up to the car later (or use radios to safely and quietly box him in) than to go on a high speed chase through residential areas.
Victim will be able to sue the Hamden police (whatever municipality they fall under) although depending on the state laws and such, chances are it won't go very far.
Sigh. Why do we always end up with totally unrelated political and/or religious fights on the Vine? Sheesh, people, stick to the topic at hand! I believe in God, but I'm not going to shove Him down someone else's throat so long as they are equally willing to leave my beliefs alone. End of discussion.
This poor guy is only half the story. As bad as he has it, what about all the others living in this building that could lose their home because of the compromised structure? I hope all to heck they can shore it up without condemning the place. Losing your home in the middle of winter would SUCK!
Oh, and Mark, you assume that this jerk HAD insurance. If he doesn't, the victims are up the proverbial creek without a paddle OR a canoe!
jk why would you apologize - this moron branxoz took your post out of context like any lunatic - hey branxoz try this one -you and your make believe god can bite me - thats how i worship mythical beings - go ahead now tell me how iam going to burn in hell you delusional creton
No fred, you won't! jk tells me you will get one hell of a tan though with all this global warming!
Can you say lawsuit?
Molon 1.25 wrote;
stoney,
three posts in a row...
do you stutter or just like to hear yourself talk.
The article was about a car accident. Go to a forum about religion for your God bashing. "
None of the above, as you would have realized if you had read the interchanges. The responses were to three different posts by three different people. I do notice you had nothing to say about the responses themselves. Guess that means you just like to hear yourself talk. Sadly, such is all too common but understandable based on doctrine and the Holy Bible itself. Rather than address the response try and demean the poster. Such isn't exactly honest, nor does it show confidence in your religion.
However, I'll show you the courtesy you refused to show me and explain things to you.
The first post showed the poster the same lack of courtesy s/he showed others. The tenets of one persons religion do not apply to those of other beliefs or those who lack belief in them all. I could have made the point more gently and had considered doing so.
The second post was a reply to a person with a question. The question was answered honestly using examples from The Bible which states in; 2 Timothy 3 (KJV)
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
If what the Bible says cannot be relied on then you've got a problem.
The third post was a response to Carrie who saw an 'attack' where none existed. I gently pointed out where the person she responded to was coming from. Its the same avenue Christians take to all the other sects and religions the individual Christian lacks belief in.
If you, or any other person, has a problem with a response, explain where and why it is seen as such.
Please note the response chain was kicked off by a rude Christian in response to an individual who may be a Christian, too. Its very telling you, as a Christian, did not chide one of your brethren.
If you cannot reply with substance then please do not reply.
Wow, A car involved in a chase crashes into a house and lands on a sleeping man and all the atheist trolls come out from under their rocks to opine in their usual troll fashion. where will this conversation lead us to next? The benefits of anal sex vs. vaginal sex? Whether this could have been avoided if we would just raise the taxes on the top 1% of wage earners? Sheesh! some of you need to get over yourselves and get a life.
On a different topic (from where this conversation went) I do hope the guy can make a full recovery and live his life in peace whether it be religious based or not.
On a side note, I got to wonder if the driver of the car is one of those people so terribly upset about the Connecticut Mayor wanting tacos? Maybe he was so upset the officer was going to pull him over and force him to cook tacos that he decided to flee than face a traffic ticket.
Cars driving into/through/over/on top of homes is a frequent occurrence where I live. News, please? And I laugh every time...........what can you do?
If they say it's not structurally sound you mean the guy can't go home. That's nuts. I've seen alot of newly buit homes that wouldn't make it.
I would start shopping for a new place. After winning a multi million dollar lawsuit he can afford a new dig.
Wrong Rod, His lawyer can afford a new dig!
The lawyer will take 1/3.
The guy sleeping might have been dreaming having a high price call girl on top of him..but it was a high price car instead when he woke up.
I can hear it now: "Oh, God...that's so hot.....OH, GOD!! THAT'S SO HOT!!"
@the angry guy, thanks a lot. i had to wipe jelly beans and spittle off both monitors. that was hilarious. :)
I don't always laugh at comments on Newsvine (what with all the derailing and all) but that was good The Angry Guy. I had to show my boyfriend, he chuckled too.
Thank you.
High speed pursuit for traffic violations ?? This is a good example of why most law enforcement departments have a ' NO ' pursuit policy for anything less than a major felony. If it is a high speed pursuit which has the 'possibility' of going out of control or inflicting other damage they are suppose to stop the pursuit. Apparently this department has no such policy, or their officers don't pay attention to existing policies.
Can't read.....LOL
Chris, Where in the story did you read "high speed chase"? He was being pursued and for what ever reason, (maybe alcohol involvement) he lost control. You need to get the facts straight before you post and blame the police.
The fault isn't with the police, it's the guy driving the car. The driver chose to flee and should suffer the consequences of his actions.
cub, apparently you envision an OJ-esque slow speed chase? Is that how the car ended up in the house? The driver must have gently rolled up to the outside wall, put his car in low, and slowly pushed through the wall and into the bedroom? Try to use a little logic, please.
Both drivers were not using their heads. To make matters even worse,the cop wasn't even able to catch the "bad guy" who was wanted for, what was it, murder? No... traffic violations. Ridiculous.
A low speed chase? Somehow I doubt it. Not if it went on for that long.
Well, the story doesn't say how long the chase went on, but a simple directions search on Google maps, using the provided waypoints, shows it would have taken at least 20 minutes at posted speeds on the straightest route. It's probably a good bet that the pursuit was at a higher speed than posted, and most likely did not take the shortest route.
If the driver was wanted for a "motor vehicle violation" short of an accident involving injury, there was no need for the police to purse for such a long time.
And judging from the view in the photo against the street view of the house, the driver failed to stop and/or turn when he hit the intersection. If you were to stand in front of the house, you'd be looking down another street.
I'm actually surprised that any police department has a "no pursuit" policy, since the Supreme Court has ruled that police aren't responsible for any damage or injuries they cause while in pursuit.
Wow, what a genious, GPS reseach! That one way to explain something to someone who has no reading comprehension, oh maybe you need to look that up for them too.
Let's take the retarded cop's shows of the TV, this is the mentallity of it all, BARNY PHIFE on duty!
Better sharpen yourself before you criticize the other guy. You ain't no spelling champ. BT
Y'know, WB, I have to agree with the second part of your statement. All this reality TV crap is giving too many ideas to copycats. Time to get rid of all that garbage and develop TV shows that teach something like, oh, say, personal responsibility? Maybe how to obey the law instead of break it?
Maybe this is a really old BMW and it does not have GPS installed. No need for pursuit just call BMW and ask where the car is. I guess that's just to hard for the next Cops show star.
Ok... Lets see what the score is now:
An Innocent victim gets 2nd & 3rd degree burns, a house severely damaged, hospital bills that will cost a bundle, and lost work time.
The perp gets away clean with just the loss of a car.
Hamden Police look kinda like Keystone cops now for their effort to bring to justice this "SPEEDER".
For the win, name the loser in all this.
Major law suit no matter which way it comes down.
to okee boy...... as always joe taxpayer...
Losers name :Okeeboy. Did I win?
nah! most likely the GEICO gecko or another insurance firm will be burned for this as the owners car insurance has to pick up the tab for injuries ,damages,lost pay and "loss of use"of his apartment while repairs are done ,! he can also sue the balls off of that driver, he must got good money if he is driving a BMW
I just hope it was the owner driving the car and not some 16 year old car thief without a penny to his name. If it was the owner, I'd hate to see those future car insurance premiums (not that he doesn't deserve to pay an arm and a leg).
i've had some horroring dreams ; but they were dreams
One of those nighthmares where you wake up into another layer of the nightmare. I hate those. Especially that last one called Reality. ;)
The home might be structurally compromised: It could barely hold up a BMW.
Sure it could, Beemers are made of tinfoil.
This is why I'm always a little paranoid sleeping on the bottom floor, I've read too many reports of people driving into others' houses and hurting or killing them (there was one case in my own state recently where a drunk guy crashed into a house and killed a teenage boy who was sleeping, and he got only four years for it).
Iff it had been a water bed he would be dead!!!!!!!!
Nope! Alive and not burned!
I have a waterbed, and I can tell ya, it would have drained FAR too fast to drown him. Not only that, but the frame likely would have held up the structure of the car and kept him from being so badly injured. Waterbeds are pretty dang tough. They have to be, they hold hundreds of gallons of water!
Of course the cops were justified endangering citizens life, limb, and property to chase down someone with excessive parking tickets.
(Sooo sad government workers are all morons.)
Never occurred to you, the car might have been stolen? Stupid to run from the police that have your name and address and now the license plate number. Of course there might be other reasons like drugs involved or a DUI.
Didn't say it was stolen............only said traffic violations.
I like the exact quote from the article "motor vehicle violations". Could have been almost anything: speeding, running a red light/stop sign, hit-and-run, expired license, expired inspection, etc.
It will be very interesting if it turned out to be for one of the latter two.
When instructed to do so, pull over and obey the officer's directions. Simple. You run and, anything after that is the runner's responsability. Maybe they should shoot these runners to stop them.? They are trying to flee at the peril of innocents. No longer is there enough penalty for the crime. Lets get back to basics with fines. You steal a car... Get-a-rope!
Makes you want to think of a second floor appartment.
What if he was dreaming of getting a new car? Wake up Bam! Be careful of what you wish for!
Or be careful of what you dream for.
he wanted a sleeper...with a hemi...
finders keepers
Always wondered what it would be like to wear a vet I mean drive a vet! Watch that! My luck I get a mean old guy with a grenade launcher
I love cars too, but leave em in the garage dude.
This man should sue the Police immediately. They're the ones the created the hazardous situation.
I wish him the very best. I don't see anything in the article about donations for the man. I would like to help him out if I had a way to do it.
Second and third degree burns are very serious. Risk of infection is great. I hope he has a clean environment to recoup in.
No the BMW driver created the hazardous situation. It was the driver that chose to break the law. Don't blame the police for the driver's choice.
No. This man should NOT immediately sue the police. The police did not land on this guy, the driver of the BMW landed on him. I would say...."IMMEDIATELY SUE THE GUY THAT DID THE DAMAGE!!!!" What is it with you anyway? Next time before you post such an ignorant comment, think and READ the article first. GEEEEEZ!!
This is not the cops fault. If the driver had stopped as he should have, this would never have happened. It's the driver of the BMW's fault, entirely.
There is already plenty of case law on the books which could be used to justify sueing the police dept. (i.e. City of Hamdem). Once the perp chooses to flee, it is the cop's responsibility to determine if the risks of pursuit to the general population outweighs the risk of letting the perp get away. That is why most police departments have guidelines setting express rules for pursuit and when it should be stopped (often a fairly strict mileage and/or time limit).
So split the difference. Don't sue the cops, but do make them repair the damages.
sounds like the police are responcible
So why not the BMW driver?
Cause thats logical..
Blame everyone else but the person whose fault it really is!
Ok, so you're the pursuing cop - explain to the poor guy under the car whay it was soo important to chase that guy so he ended up on top of him? We're waiting? Maybe a pep talk would help?
So you're saying that if anyone runs from the police they should be let go? What a concept!
not let go - get him later
Cops have to make judgement calls. For example, what if the police see a car full of teens. The driver is doing 10 miles over the speed limit. The cop hits the lights, chirps the siren a couple of times, and the teen driver decides to try and 'outrun' the cop. The cop can 'pursue' the car load of teens at high speed, knowing the situation could easily turn bad, resulting in the death/injury of one or more of them, or he can let them go, knowing that the driver would probably slow down after 'losing' the cop. What would you do?
The above situation actually happen to some friends of mine when I was a teen. The cop let them go.
this situation is different because the police already knew that this was a 'wanted' person. a car full of speeding teenagers is totally different if they had no priors...
nothing like a new car on top of you to make your night lol
lol I've had some bad nights but this one takes the cake.
I've gone home from the bar with what I thought were BMWs and Lexus!
Woke up with YUGOS and Dump trucks!
Wow, this gives new meaning to the term, rude awakening. I hope that the gentleman recovers quickly from his physical and emotional injuries.
6 months to minimal recovery from the 3rd degree burns. Years to full recovery.
Dis not my house. sorry!
the car must'a been...one of those sleeper's ...we hear so much about...
Gives new meaning to the bumper sticker I saw recenlty, it read: IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY I DRIVE, STAY OUT OF THE POOL!
How did the driver of the car get away so easily?
I would assume at that point in time the police were more concerned with the man pinned under the car than the one who had put the car there.
I wouldn't call losing a $60K car getting off/away easy, but I'd guess the police were following at a safe distance and the jerk driving the car ran like the sissy he was as soon as he lost control and crashed.
Thats no $60k car. Its a 2000-2001 BMW X5 3.0. Current value is under $10k. Even new they were only around $40k.
As the old saying goes,,"First call a lawyer" The city's police dept. should be paying him for quite a while...
Wonder what kind of mattress he had
1/4 ton full bed!
If it was a tempurpedic it would have melted around him.
Control traffic you control crime. They could have just followed the car until the BMW stopped an then arrested the owner in today world there is no need to chase.
Isn't that what they were doing? Or at least trying to do?
So how do you "follow" a guy if he decides to crank it up to say 90 or 100mph? It can't become a chase unless the person in the car decides to step on the gas hard and then what do you do hmmm?
Hope they find the driver, chain him on a mattress and drive a city bus with flat tires over him.
Does anyone have problems with their cursor on this site. Mine does not want to back up, so I can add words, delete misspelled words and spell them correctly? It only happens on NewsVine.