WALTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Walton County man says a wrecker crashed through the front door and went right through his home, who told Channel 2 Action News he wants his insurance company to knock down the house.
"Like it was invited in," Bob Scott told Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland, recalling how his newly bought wrecker truck crashed through his front door July 7. "It's just obliterated."Scott told Strickland he jump-started the truck with the throttle open, unaware it was already in gear.
Wrecker Crashes Into Walton County House
The impact ignited a small fire, and tore out load bearing walls and columns, according to Scott.
Engineer George Runkle said he'd have to remove so much framing to replace what's damaged, the rest of the house could sink or collapse.
"Once we take sheet rock off upstairs we're going to see more damage," he said. "I don't see how you take this much house down without destroying the rest of it."
Scott told Strickland the contractor told him it would be under $60,000 to fix the house and around $250,000 to replace it.
Scott is in an unlikely position, advocating demolition of his home because he built it himself, said Strickland. Strickland said he learned after his interview with Runkle, Allstate's own engineer called three times to discuss the best way to settle the claim. Strickland said Allstate released a statement saying, "Allstate handles all claims fairly and that a when a homeowner hires an outside engineer their findings are considered."
WSBTV
