Car strikes Belfast house ‘like a bomb’

BELFAST – Martha Albert and her family were enjoying a quiet Sunday night at home when they were startled by something hitting their house.

“It felt like a bomb went off,” Albert said Monday. “I couldn’t figure out what happened, but my sister knew right away and hollered, ‘Call 911.'”

When Albert, her sister Lillian Stone and nephew Justin Cannon ran outside, they found that a late model Nissan Altima had struck the front of their house and that driver Benjamin Springer, 34, of Morrill was in need of medical attention.

The accident occurred at 8:50 p.m. where Crocker Road ends in a “T” with Marsh Road.

Springer was traveling up Crocker Road and did not stop in time to avoid hitting the Albert home, which is directly opposite the end of Crocker Road. Springer had apparently gone to the store for some items and was on his way home to Morrill when the accident occurred.

Cannon said he was sitting in the living room watching television when the car hit the house.

He was hit by flying glass. A piece of a large stoneware vase that was broken carved a gash in the living room ceiling. Glass figurines and oil lamps fell from shelves and food items were dislodged from the pantry.

“A jar of olives broke. It was a mess,” said Stone, who was sitting in the sunroom. “It jarred the whole house.”

Inside walls buckled, ceilings separated from walls, doorways and cabinets were sprung, and the foundation was damaged.

Carpenters were at the house early Monday taking measurements, and Albert estimated that damage would add up to thousands of dollars. She said she was insured and added, “I hope he’s insured, too.”

Springer was taken by ambulance to Waldo County General Hospital and later transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where he had surgery for his injuries.

Police Chief Jeffrey Trafton said Springer injured both knees and a hip. There was no word Monday on whether any charges would be filed.