Local

Runaway dump truck hits car, sending it into apartment

NORCROSS, Ga. — Gwinnett County firefighters say a dump truck rolled 40 yards down a hill and hit a car, sending it into an apartment in Norcross.

It happened at the Arbor Mill Apartments on Graves Road in Norcross just before 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The impact of the truck sent a car halfway through a ground-floor apartment, investigators said.

"I just thought they were doing construction," said neighbor Brandon Lash. "I looked around the corner and saw that whole car just pushed through the apartment."

No injuries were reported in the incident.

"The kids were out of the way," said Lash. "They were in the street playing but it's good nobody got hurt."

The dump truck was part of a grading operation and the driver was away from the truck at the time. No one was in the apartment when the car struck.

Fire officials say the car took out a load bearing wall causing serious structural damage.

"So, now we have crews that are actively working to build supporting systems back so that we can once again make the building safe," said Capt. Kevin Stone.

Technical rescue team members shored up the building until engineers can determine the structural integrity of the building.

Still, residents like Holmes have questions.

"Why wouldn't they be monitoring the truck," she asked.

Several residents were told they wouldn't be allowed to sleep in their apartments overnight.

Apartment management provided them with another place to stay.

"It's a scary feeling, because of course I've got to go to work in the morning and you've got to have the clothes to do so," said Holmes.

Gwinnett County police will investigate to determine what caused the truck to roll.

As of Thursday, residents above the impact have not yet been allowed back into their homes.