GATEWOOD RD, WV (WOAY) – For many, Christmas Eve is a special night, associated with comfort and peace. But on Christmas Eve, on the outskirts of Oak Hill along Gatewood Road, that peace and comfort were disturbed.
“I heard the most disturbing explosion sound I’ve ever heard. It was awful. It was really awful,” Jodie Gray.
That explosion sound was a pickup truck crashing into her house. Jodie Gray had finished wrapping presents and just placed them under the tree when the truck hit an addition to her home containing a bathroom and closet.
“Me and my son went outside to find out what, you know, what had happened. And that’s when we found a vehicle in the side of my house,” Gray said.
By the time they got outside to see exactly what happened, the truck was on fire, and 911 was called.
“They were there first. I’d say probably 7 to 10 minutes maybe. I mean, they they were very quick. I really appreciate how quick they were,” Gray said.
The house is uninhabitable and the mother and son who lived there initially went to a hotel. There are now living in Grays’s mother’s basement.
A friend of the family has created a fundraising page for the family.
“It’s basically just to get us back on our feet, some place to live,” Gray said.
There is currently no power or water at the residence and although some of the house did burn, it is water damage causing the most problems. The impact of the truck also damaged the foundation. Jodie says would like to one day move back into the house.
“That’s really something I don’t know. I really hope I can, but I just I don’t know,” she said.
The family salvaged their gifts from their damaged home and finally got to have their christmas on the evening of christmas day in their hotel room. And the compassion of the community continues to shine bright.
“People have come from everywhere to help me. People here, people I don’t even know, help me. I really appreciate everything that people have done for me. There really gives you a really good sense of relief when people come to help you in your time of need,” she said.
The individual driving the vehicle was injured and left the scene in an ambulance.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department is currently not releasing information related to this case citing an ongoing investigation.
We will update you when we learn more.
