Villa St residents in Masterton are once again cleaning up the carnage caused by another vehicle losing control on their street – this time leading to a car catapulting into the front of a house.
Shortly after 8pm on Tuesday night, a car crashed through the front bedroom of a house on Villa St after ploughing through the front fence, yard, and veranda – clipping a streetlight pole on the way.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the sound of the impact was so loud that it “sounded like it was in my lounge; it was a horrible noise”.
When the resident went outside to check what was happening, they could only describe the scene as “utter chaos”.
A police spokesperson confirmed that at about 8.20 pm, a car drove into a house in Masterton. After the crash, the driver of the vehicle became agitated and upset, resulting in police restraining her.
Due to her demeanour, a blood alcohol test would be conducted to determine if alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash, the spokesperson said, and she was taken to hospital via ambulance to have her injuries treated.
The Villa St resident said that they were present when the driver was restrained and that it took at least five police officers to “take her down”.
“She wasn’t remorseful at all,” they said, citing her belligerent demeanour and desire to leave the scene of the crash.
This isn’t the first time houses along the street have been crashed into, with the resident claiming that there had been at least 14 similar incidents and a couple of deaths, with one of the historical deaths occurring at the property that was struck on Tuesday night.
The resident said they had previously had a car ploughing through their front fence and were lucky that a small tree prevented the vehicle from landing in their small child’s bedroom.
“Luck is on the side of the drivers, but that luck will run out,” they said.
“I’ve seriously considered moving. I’ve got the safety of my children to think about.”
The resident said that multiple people have contacted Masterton District Council [MDC] about installing some type of safety barrier on the corner of Villa and Pownall streets due to the high crash rate and concerns for their safety.
MDC had apparently done some work on the road, but the resident claimed this only made the corner a “better launching pad” for anyone travelling at excess speed or driving while under the influence.
“It won’t be the last [car crash],” they said.
The resident said those living on the street would like to see engagement from the council and affirmed that a barrier on the corner is a “no-brainer,” especially if it could “prevent a loss of life”.
However, they aren’t optimistic that the council will install a barrier any time soon.
“I guess all I can do is just wait for that next screech and think ‘okay, is there going to be someone alive when I walk out that door?’” they said.
MDC has been approached for comment but was unable to respond before print deadline.
As a result of the crash, the streetlight pole was damaged beyond repair, and Powerco was tasked with its removal.
A Powerco spokesperson confirmed that a field crew was dispatched on Tuesday night to make the underground electricity cable safe, and a crane was used to support the pole overnight.
The pole in question was a council streetlight pole, and Powerco has informed MDC of the required replacement.
