Septic truck slams into newlyweds' home in Bucks Co.

Thursday, July 9, 2015
VIDEO: Septic truck slams into newlyweds home
Newlyweds from upper Bucks County are dealing with their first crisis as a married couple.

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (WPVI) -- Newlyweds from upper Bucks County are dealing with their first crisis as a married couple.

Two days after Joseph and Chelsea Lepore returned from their honeymoon, disaster drove into their lives in the form of a septic truck. Now, instead of celebrating their new life in their new home, the couple is dealing with the possibility of starting all over again.

"I mean, if I don't laugh I'm gonna cry," says Joe Lepore.

Joe and his wife Chelsea of Springfield Township just got home from their honeymoon last weekend. But late Wednesday afternoon they got a gift no newlywed wants in the form of a 27 ton septic truck that apparently lost its brakes, careened around a corner on Drifting Drive, broke through the fence, and plowed into the back of their new home.

Joe says, "I heard the horn honking and then the truck hit my house."

The runaway septic truck blasted through the kitchen wall, part of the living room and came to rest in the garage. It's now embedded in the floor.

"I got a septic truck in my house, so the jokes are plentiful. But I mean, the reality of it is just sad," Joe said.

The former Marine, who works 15 hour days commuting to a refinery in North Jersey, is heartbroken. So is his bride.

Chelsea explains, "It's been a little chaotic. Just getting back from the honeymoon and getting all situated and then having to deal with this."

No one was injured in the crash, but one of the couple's two dogs had a minor cut on its lip.

In addition to the structural damage to the house, an undetermined amount of raw sewage from the truck spilled into the basement on impact.

Heather Zlotty, who lives nearby, tells us, "It did smell and I've been in the house helping them get out all their stuff last night and it really smells."

Engineers have recommended shoring up the first floor before tow trucks attempt to pull the septic truck out of the house.

Springfield Twp. Police Chief Mike McDonald says, "The towing company was out yesterday and they were fearful of if they did pull that out, if they could have the actual home itself come down."

Trying to get the truck out will be a complicated operation, involving three tow trucks.

The Lepores hope to salvage and repair the house, but there is damage to a loadbearing wall, which is of some concern.