A South Fulton man died Thursday morning after suffering a medical emergency and driving through his neighbor's home, according to fire officials.
The incident occurred about 5:45 a.m. on Stone Croft Trail, South Fulton Battalion Chief Markus Jones said at the scene.
Firefighters were initially told that someone inside the home needed medical attention.
“Prior to our arrival, we realized a car had actually run through the lower half of the house,” Jones said.
When firefighters got there, the driver of the car was in cardiac arrest, authorities said. Crews began lifesaving efforts and the man was rushed to the hospital, where he later died. His name has not been released, but Channel 2 Action News reported the victim was a well-known pastor in the area.
Investigators said the man was backing out of his driveway across the street when he went into cardiac arrest.
“He continued to back up across the street and through the neighbor’s house,” Jones said.
Two adults and two teenagers were inside the home at the time, but no one else was injured in the crash. The victim’s son was also in the car at the time of the crash, but is OK, according to Channel 2.
Ron Walker said he was home with his family when heard a loud boom and thought someone was breaking into the residence. That’s when he went downstairs and noticed an SUV had crashed into his basement.
“It’s a blessing that we’re alive,” he told reporters outside his home, adding that he feels sorry for his neighbor’s family.
The impact of the crash caused major damage to a gas line, so crews had to shut off service to the home, authorities said. The crash also sent a can of blue paint flying through Walker’s basement.
“It’s blue paint all over everything. The dog, everything,” he said. “This is a rough situation.”
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