Driver accused of crashing airborne car in Chester County may have had medical emergency: Police

DOWNINGTON, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- The woman who was believed to have been driving an SUV that went airborne, plowed through a resident's hedges, and landed on another car in Chester County was located by police on Sunday.

Authorities also announced that the crash was likely caused by the driver having a medical emergency.

The incident happened Thursday in a driveway along the 1300 block of Horseshoe Pike in Downingtown.

Security footage shows the Nissan SUV barreling through a resident's lawn and landing on another vehicle. Afterward, the SUV backs up and drives away.

Officers said on Sunday the driver believed to be involved in this incident was interviewed by police.

"After interviewing the driver this evening we believe the driver had a medical emergency which led to the accident. She acknowledged it was her driving the vehicle and proper enforcement action will be taken by our agency," Deputy Chief Jeff Yankanich with East Brandywine Township police said in a statement to Action News.

There is no word yet on her identity or what medical condition may have caused the incident.

Action News spoke with the homeowner whose lawn was destroyed on Sunday. He said the entire incident was bizarre.

"We were shocked and it was a bit of disbelief," noted Rob McCall, the Downingtown homeowner. "It baffles me."

McCall says the driver not only damaged his property but also his friend's gold Plymouth Acclaim, which he was supposed to repair.

"If we were bringing groceries in the house, we could have been run over," McCall noted.

He also said the crash left behind lots of property damage.

"We've been here 27 years and there's accidents on the street every now and then but we've never had anyone drive through the hedges," he said. "There are pieces we pulled out of the hedges that came off the Nissan."

McCall and the car's owner, Andre Pennisi, both say they're glad no one was hurt, however.

"We're in a bit of dismay that someone could just causally drive through someone's property and then leave nonchalantly without even checking to see if anyone was in the car or if anyone was home," said McCall.

"I'm glad it played out the way it did because no one was here, no one got injured, the car - there's relatively minimal damage I think," added Pennisi, who owns the damaged car.

Pennisi also said that while he's thankful no one was hurt, he wants drivers to be more cautious on the roads.

"It seems like people's driving has been getting worse. I think we as a society need to take a step back and think about how we're driving two, three, four, or sometimes 8,000 lbs. vehicles that can kill someone," he noted.

Pennisi and McCall say they're now focused on the next steps, primarily fixing their damaged property.

Pennisi told Action News he'll need at least a new hood and fender for his car, which is his main source of transportation.

"I was trying really hard to try to keep the car nice and someone came through and completely destroyed that," he said. "I'm disappointed they decided to flee the scene."

Police say the driver in this incident is expected to face charges and proper enforcement will be taken by authorities.