A Kentwood couple known for their immaculate yard are now being noticed for their smashed-in garage.
An emotional Deana Gillies, who usually keeps a neat lawn festooned with flowers, was trying to come to grips on Thursday with her damaged house exterior and torn up grass.
A speeding motorist had plowed into the attached garage of the Red Deer home owned by Gillies and her husband Brian Kolari on Wednesday night, then attempted to flee.
This is the second brush with crime for Kolari, since the Red Deer man had his car stolen from his workplace last week. While he’s taking the two incidents in stride, saying “We can fix the house, get another car” — Gillies feared a third stoke of bad luck.
“This is our dream home. . . For somebody to come along, whether they are intoxicated or drug-induced or whatever, and rip away what we’ve worked for is hard,” said Gillies, who was home alone when she heard the big bang.
A vehicle had gone through the curve in Kilburne Cres. and into the yard at about 9 p.m. The car broke flower pots and smashed into a column between the two garage doors, pushing it in. Witnesses reported the motorist then reversed his vehicle, tearing up Gillies’s grass and hedge, before driving away across some lawns.
Two young men who’d been visiting on the crescent are “heroes” for following the fleeing motorist and contacting police, said Gillies.
“I found out how good my neighbours are,” added the homeowner, who received many supportive visits. She and Kolari are thankful no one was hurt.
They filed an insurance claim for what could be $50,000 of damage.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com