Explosion, then darkness: Holiday woman describes moment SUV blasted through her home
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HOLIDAY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Pasco County homeowner considers herself fortunate to be alive after a speeding SUV crashed through her house on Tuesday evening, striking her bedroom and leaving the home completely destroyed.

3 women, 9-year-old boy hurt after SUV hits pool, goes airborne, then crashes into Holiday house

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reported that at around 6:20 p.m., a 46-year-old Holiday woman suffered a medical emergency while driving her Hyundai Santa Fe. She lost control, collided with two fences, leaped over a swimming pool, and became airborne before crashing directly into a home on Bahia Avenue.

4 people, including child, hurt when car crashes into Holiday home

Inside the home were the owner Crystal Pankey and her best friend Cassie Moore. Both were seriously injured, declared trauma alerts, and taken to a nearby hospital. Pankey’s husband was in a different room and was unharmed.

“Suddenly, there was an explosion. I was thrown against the back wall. When I regained consciousness, I was trying to crawl out of the wreckage, but there was so much blood on my face and body that I couldn’t see,” recalled Pankey.

Pankey sustained a brain bleed, concussion, and deep cuts needing 22 stitches. Surgeons removed glass from her eye, and doctors caution she could lose vision in her left eye. Moore remains in the ICU with seven broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken arm, and severe shoulder injuries requiring surgery.

“It was just heartbreaking… devastating. I can’t explain how I feel. I’m in shock. I can’t believe this is really happening,” Pankey said.

Family members informed 8 On Your Side that the SUV struck the home at approximately 60 miles per hour, and the driver, who had lost consciousness, still had her foot on the gas pedal after the collision.

“The entire house is a total loss. It went through the bedroom, living room, foyer… I still haven’t processed that my house is gone,” Pankey said.

Despite the destruction, all four of the family’s dogs survived without a scratch. Family members have been in contact with the driver, who also had a 9-year-old boy in the car, and say that both are expected to be OK.

“I do not harbor any ill will against her. Accidents happen. I’m sure she’s a great person, and she didn’t mean it,” Pankey said.

It’s the second time a car has crashed into this same home, according to the family. About 15 years ago, another driver plowed through the bathroom while Pankey’s late mother was living there. No one was injured in that crash.

“I’m just in shock. This is just really hard. I never expected this to happen,” Pankey said.

The family has created a GoFundMe to raise money for living expenses, medical bills, and the possessions lost in the accident.

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