Carl Hertenstein and his wife, Deborah, were watching television in their family room Monday night when they heard what sounded to Carl like a bomb exploding.
The sound came from inside their home.
They first thought the ceiling was coming down. They scrambled to get to the south side of their home, but the hallway was strangely obstructed.
They saw why when they went outside. A 1994 Acura Legend had pierced the house, penetrating part of two bedrooms.
The car's driver, Felecia Ward, lost control of her car on a curve and drove into the house at 5620 Cresthill Drive at around 6:55 p.m., Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy John Duran said.
A witness told the sheriff's office that Ward, 40, of Tampa, drove past a stop sign, crossed Town 'N Country Boulevard and headed west on Cresthill Drive at a high rate of speed.
Ward was taken to Town 'N Country Hospital with minor injuries.
Duran said she told investigators she was traveling 35 mph, but he estimates she was driving 50-60 mph. The speed limit in the residential neighborhood is 30 mph, Duran said.
She was cited for careless driving, running a stop sign and fail to use due care, Duran said. She didn't appear to be intoxicated, Duran said.
Carl Hertenstein, 63, said no car has ever come close to hitting his home. He has lived there eight years and his in-laws had lived there 30 years without an incident.
They will be staying with family or friends in the area, Carl Hertenstein said.
Neighbor Don Barry said he was working in his front yard when he heard the car zooming down Cresthill Drive.
"I was amazed; I couldn't believe it," Barry said.
"It's upsetting," he said. "It's a disaster at a time we don't need - with the economy the way it is."
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