GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Grand Rapids woman is thankful to be around this holiday season after a car plowed into her home.
Wood panels are now up at Mary Scanlon’s home near Four Mile and Scenic View in northeast Grand Rapids.
They’re reminders of what happened last Wednesday, December 16th.
Scanlon was drinking coffee waiting for her daughter to drop off her grandson around 7:45AM when a car slammed into her house.
“All of a sudden, the wall exploded,” said Scanlon. “I just remember looking down and I had a VCR on my chest.”
Mary’s sister went outside to see what happened. That’s when she noticed a younger kid drove about four feet inside the home. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office was quick to respond.
“My partners got there first and were able to remove the debris but we were able to see that she had quite a significant laceration to her left shin and just above her right eye,” said Deputy Omar Dieppa, KCSO Community Policing Officer.
Deputy Dieppa said at first, Mary wanted to stay home, but paramedics told her she needed to go to the hospital.
She now has 10 stitches in her forehead and 12 in her right leg.
During their interviews officers realized it was Mary’s 65th birthday.
“The robe she was wearing, the pajamas and the slippers just because of the injury and debris they got quite covered in blood,” said Deputy Dieppa. “We thought 2020 kinda took enough away from everybody and we decided to go down to Meijer where we have amazing partnership, spoke to a manager there, told them the story about Mary and without hesitation, we were off shopping in the women’s clothing aisle.”
Deputy Dieppa then went back to the home and surprised Mary with a new robe, slippers and pajama bottoms donated by Meijer. He also brought a stuffed animal for her grandson.
“Well, it gives you a sense of security,” said Scanlon. “I cannot say enough about that officer. He was a very calming nice man.”
“I had brought up that you guys had made contact with me and asked if she wanted to be on the news and unfortunately she said ‘I’m a shy old lady but if someone runs into my house again I’d be happy to have you back out,” said Dieppa.
Mary said so many people came out last week when this all happened she couldn’t even count them all but is extremely grateful for all the help.
As for the driver who hit the home, investigators say he was cited after taking the corner too fast.
