By Dominik Lobkowicz
An allegedly drunk driver struck this Ford pickup the evening of May 31, pushing it into the side of the house behind it, according to Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde. Had the driver struck the house directly, it could have resulted in serious injury or death for a 7-year-old sleeping on a couch inside the home, he said. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
A 7-year-old sleeping on a couch in Waldoboro escaped injury May 31 when an allegedly drunk driver struck a parked truck and drove it into the side of a house, according to Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde.
The child was sleeping on the couch in the living room of 1534 Feylers Corner Rd. at approximately 7:30 p.m. when a black Toyota Avalon operated by Irven Starrett, 58, of Warren, struck a parked blue Ford pickup in the home’s front yard, Labombarde said.
The Avalon drove the Ford into the side of the home, which pushed the couch – located adjacent to the wall which was struck – across the living room and threw the child from the couch, Labombarde said.
The homeowners had been contemplating moving the pickup from its location in front of the home; if they had and the Toyota had not been slowed by first hitting the pickup, the accident could have resulted in serious injury or death for the child, Labombarde said.
Starrett was the only person injured as a result of the crash, and was transported by Waldoboro EMS to Pen Bay Medical Center, Labombarde said.
Starrett was charged with operating under the influence and driving to endanger. His alcohol content was allegedly almost three times the legal limit, Labombarde said.
Starrett had allegedly been drinking at a local bar before the accident and the police department is working with the bar owner on the issue, Labombarde said.
A message left for Starrett seeking comment was not returned by press time.
