Car left running, empty and on its side after driver crashes into South Lake Tahoe home

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Emergency personnel were called out to a home on Springwood Drive in South Lake Tahoe early Monday morning after a vehicle crashed into it, severing the gas meter.

Upon arrival just before 3:00 a.m. July 15, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) found a car still running and on its side after it hit the unoccupied home. The driver was nowhere to be found.

Due to the meter being sheered off the home and a large leak with no way to clamp off the gas, SLTFR decided to evacuate five homes on each side of the damaged one. Most were vacant but three were occupied. Two of the residents decided to remain in their homes, and the third, a vacation rental with a large family staying inside, left the home and waited out the emergency in a warmed up car down the street.

It took a while for SouthWest Gas to arrive but when they did, SLTFR assisted with securing of the gas leak. The family that had vacated their home was allowed to return about 4:00 a.m.

It is unknown at this time if the driver was injured, or who they were. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is investigating.