Hit and run accident causes house fire

ARH wrote:

There are no homes in West Michigan from the 18th century; 1800's sure, 18th century, no. A tracig loss nonethelss.

That house is my Aunt and Uncles house. This home is from the 18th century and is actually a historical landmaker in Ada. But thanks for the comment none the less.

Kalli wrote:

<quoted text>
That house is my Aunt and Uncles house. This home is from the 18th century and is actually a historical landmaker in Ada. But thanks for the comment none the less.

The story says that the house was built in the 1820's. That would not be the 18th century, that would actually be the 19th century.

What an idiot. Check out his My Space account...pay speacial attention to his "Interests" and "Heroes". Dumb ass!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...

mcsquared wrote:

If any witnesses are out there please call the sheriff and let them know. Any little bit can help in the case against him. I know my parents will appreciate it. Thank you to everyone who stopped to make sure they were OK. We had alot of memories there, from mopving there as kids to having our kids graduation open house there. It was a wonderful house to grow up in and my parents dont deserve something like this.

Hey Cooke family - it's Joy. I am so sorry that this happened! What a tragedy! Let us know if there is any way we can help. I thank God that you were not hurt but can not imagine the loss you are feeling. Contact my parents and they can give you my email....

Clearly, this dude was the victim of a conspiracy. Let's rally to his defense and assist him in the search for the real perpetrators of this horrific crime. This situation cries out for justice. Call Greta Van Susteren immediately and get her to cover this story if she isn't too busy searching for clues about Natalee Hollway's disappearance.

Orenthal James wrote:

Clearly, this dude was the victim of a conspiracy. Let's rally to his defense and assist him in the search for the real perpetrators of this horrific crime. This situation cries out for justice. Call Greta Van Susteren immediately and get her to cover this story if she isn't too busy searching for clues about Natalee Hollway's disappearance.

LMAO!!!

I am happy that they hit the house and not the High School two miles down the street. The house is a mess.

urednecku wrote:

I am happy that they hit the house and not the High School two miles down the street. The house is a mess.

Happy??? Last I knew, people would not have been sleeping in the High School at 2:00AM Sunday?????
Poor taste "uredenecku"

All of you people really need to get a life!

Does a broken gas line spontaneously burst into flames? Or does it take a few minutes for the gas to leak and start a fire?

Just wondering because it seems like the driver and car would have burst into flames along with the house if it happened immediately!

I thank god that my aunt and uncle are alive. I got home from the firehouse this morning after a twenty-four hour shift, to here the news of a car hitting their house, the gas service, and burning it down. THANK YOUR FIREFIGHTERS FOR PROTECTING YOU> IF THE MAN DRIVING THE CAR WAS AT THE SCENE ON FIRE < IN THE CAR < HE WOULD HAVE PUT THE FIREFIGHTERS AT RISK AS WELL as himself> driving is a privalege> I believe his privaledge had already been revolked< I LOVE YOU UNCLE MIKE AND AUNT CAROL < IT IS NOT THE POLITICAL ARENA> IT IS THIRTY_FIVE YEARS OF MEMORIES AND PICTURES GONE SENSELESSLY> now what ? Others suffer for your decision to drive after your privaledge had already been revolked. You are not two years old.

Marshall wrote:

I cant believe that he claimed he didnt know he caused any damage. Also the whole swerving to hit a deer story. He passed me on the road about a mile down, he was not driving in a straight line at all (clearly intoxicated). Also he was going around 100 when he passed me and didnt show any sign to slowing down. I hope he doesnt get any grace

Marshall, I am reviewing these postings with my Mom. She is VERY APPRECIATIVE that you stopped. Thank you. Please contact the Kent County Sheriff's Dept with your information if you have not done so already.

Thank you also to the group of young men that stayed at the scene with them.

Also, Thank you to all those who have expressed concern for my Mom & Dad. It truly helps them to know how many people really care, whether they know them or not. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. They have a long road ahead of them.

This is such a strange story. What are the chances of a car not only going off the road but hitting a house and hitting the gas line to make it explode and burn the house. Thank God the people got out safe. That is all that really matters the material things can be replaced. As for the guy who took off I have to ask what the hell is wrong with you. Ok you didn't want to get in trouble. Well now when they catch you it will be worse. Plus what if those people didn't get out you should have been there to make sure they were ok. How can you live with youself knowing because of you two people could have lost their lives? And the fact they lost all that they own. I couldn't live with that. Turn yourself in.

The guy did turn himself in - was it reported that way? He found out about the fire from the sheriff. It was pitch black and there are trees lining the road. Not that it matters much, but the license was expired (not renewed)- not suspended.

Use some common sense people - the sheriff knew the fire didn't happen immediately, but it doesn't make for as sensational of a story for reporters does it? The whole thing is terrible, but use some common sense and think for yourselves instead of being spoon fed by the less-than-mediocre local news. Just reading or listening to the different news channels there are glaring inconsistencies in their reporting!

God Bless everyone involved! Instead of sitting in forums on the computer, how about donating some clothes and other necessities to the family who lost their home? That would be a more productive and positive use of our time.

think a little wrote:

The guy did turn himself in - was it reported that way? He found out about the fire from the sheriff. It was pitch black and there are trees lining the road. Not that it matters much, but the license was expired (not renewed)- not suspended.
Use some common sense people - the sheriff knew the fire didn't happen immediately, but it doesn't make for as sensational of a story for reporters does it? The whole thing is terrible, but use some common sense and think for yourselves instead of being spoon fed by the less-than-mediocre local news. Just reading or listening to the different news channels there are glaring inconsistencies in their reporting!
God Bless everyone involved! Instead of sitting in forums on the computer, how about donating some clothes and other necessities to the family who lost their home? That would be a more productive and positive use of our time.

Wow, you must be a relative of the driver! Truth be told, he was so drunk he didn't even know what happened, and that is a terrible thing. He should have never, EVER been behind the wheel of that car. He didn't even know until the NEXT DAY what he had done. That is sad. He could have killed someone, or himself. I haven't really read any inconsistences with the news reports, either. They have all been pretty similar, and if anything, don't do much to paint the driver in a negative light (although they should). I hope he is charged and is made to attend alcohol rehab -- he definitely needs it if he was drunk enough to not even know he hit a HOUSE. From what I personally know and from what I read on his myspace page, he is arrogant and self-centered and it appears he thinks he can get away with anything. Maybe this incident will make him appreciate his life and the lives of others.

think a little wrote:

The guy did turn himself in - was it reported that way? He found out about the fire from the sheriff. It was pitch black and there are trees lining the road. Not that it matters much, but the license was expired (not renewed)- not suspended.
Use some common sense people - the sheriff knew the fire didn't happen immediately, but it doesn't make for as sensational of a story for reporters does it? The whole thing is terrible, but use some common sense and think for yourselves instead of being spoon fed by the less-than-mediocre local news. Just reading or listening to the different news channels there are glaring inconsistencies in their reporting!
God Bless everyone involved! Instead of sitting in forums on the computer, how about donating some clothes and other necessities to the family who lost their home? That would be a more productive and positive use of our time.

If indeed he did turn himself in, it was after he hid out long enough to sober up. He hit a house that was burning as he drove away, they stood outside and watched as he fled and the fire was already going. If there are so many trees, why didn't one of them stop him? If you look at the pictures and video, there was one tree between him and the house, all the other trees are across the street. The tree he hit while trying to get away was less than 2 feet from the house. And if you dont renew your license after restriction, it might as well still be restricted. Defend him as you will, it all comes down to he knew what he did, knew he was in trouble, that is why he hid out all day to cover up his intoxication. Instead of making excuses,why not step up and and be held accountable for this. As for inconcistencies in the reporting; they all sounded the same to me; hecrashed his car into a house and as a result, it burned he fled and hid out all day, I don't think he ever even hit the brakes.

think a little wrote:

The guy did turn himself in - was it reported that way? He found out about the fire from the sheriff. It was pitch black and there are trees lining the road. Not that it matters much, but the license was expired (not renewed)- not suspended.
Use some common sense people - the sheriff knew the fire didn't happen immediately, but it doesn't make for as sensational of a story for reporters does it? The whole thing is terrible, but use some common sense and think for yourselves instead of being spoon fed by the less-than-mediocre local news. Just reading or listening to the different news channels there are glaring inconsistencies in their reporting!
God Bless everyone involved! Instead of sitting in forums on the computer, how about donating some clothes and other necessities to the family who lost their home? That would be a more productive and positive use of our time.

Since I agree with your last paragraph, I will only assume that you were "thinking a little"...

Next time the members of your community are woken up at 2am to fight fire from an irresponsible little bastard that does not have the decency to ensure the safety of the homeowners first after running into their house, why not think a little or use some common sense and check the condition of the car that he drove away in. He knew what he did, he knew the condition of the car (wait until you see those pictures), and he knew he was headed for big trouble. As for turning himself in, I suppose if you leave a car that is owned by your company, and there is enough evidence that shows he was behind the wheel, turning himself in wasn't an option was it?

Don't worry about thinking a little and using common sense, it will come out in court that anyone that sells cars for a living should have a valid license (not expired, suspended or restricted).

The family wrote:

<quoted text>
Marshall, I am reviewing these postings with my Mom. She is VERY APPRECIATIVE that you stopped. Thank you. Please contact the Kent County Sheriff's Dept with your information if you have not done so already.
Thank you also to the group of young men that stayed at the scene with them.
Also, Thank you to all those who have expressed concern for my Mom & Dad. It truly helps them to know how many people really care, whether they know them or not. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. They have a long road ahead of them.

I have tried calling but i only could leave a message and they have not yet gotten back to me. i plan on stopping by their office tomorrow and telling them my story then. hope all is well with you and your family

i spoke today with the Kent County Sheriffs Dept. and gave them a statement so thats all done with. I will continue to keep the family in my prayers and I hope that everything turns out ok

Thank you Marshall! I will pass on your message to my parents. I am sure they will appreciate it.