Damage being repaired after van crashed into Detroit home - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Damage being repaired after van crashed into Detroit home

Posted: Updated:

By Maurielle Lue
Fox 2 News


DETROIT (WJBK) -- A van slammed into a family's home leaving major damage just before the holidays.  The Fox 2 Problem Solvers put out a call for help and our viewers responded.

It may have been a rainy day Thursday, but the sun was shining in Detroit.

"I'm glad that it's getting fixed.  I'm really excited.  It was cold last night, but I'm thankful that people came in and helped us.  We really needed it.  I'm really grateful to them and to Fox 2," said Renita Alexander.

Her family called Fox 2 Wednesday morning after a man drove a van through the front of their home on Detroit's west side, then reportedly ran away.  Her grandfather was rushed to the hospital with spinal injuries.  The wheelchair ramp her paralyzed grandmother uses to get in and out of the home was destroyed.

Then Fox 2 viewers showed up.  An anonymous donor hired Mar-Que General Contracting to help.

"We're going to do everything we can do to get these people's house done as fast as possible," said Billy Keehn.

Fox 2 viewer Charles King of Charles King Construction saw our story and realized he knew the family in need.

"I've (known) her for 30 years," he said.  "She used to come around the whole neighborhood, picking up all of the young people in the neighborhood, getting us to go to church and all of that, so I'm basically giving back what she gave to me."

King had the manpower, but not the materials.  He is getting almost everything he needs donated.

"I reached out to Detroit Impact to get some materials.  They're going to buy some materials.  I reached out to Habitat for Humanity.  They gave me some carpet.  The gave me the doors.  They gave me wood.  They're going to give me the windows," he said.

"We're just making sure it's secure so no rain gets inside, and then... in the morning we'll be back.  We're going to... re-frame it all back, put a new window in.  We're going to put in new carpet and that's in the living room and the hallway."

"This is the most anybody has ever done for us.  I couldn't ask for more.  I really thank them for their time, their resources," Alexander said.

The only thing these volunteers still need is a little more wood for the wheelchair ramp that Charles King promises to build to make sure that this family can go to church on Sunday.

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:04:19 GMT
    FDNY photo via Twitter
    Emergency workers are on the scene of a trench collapse in Queens that trapped one person on Tuesday evening.
    Emergency workers are on the scene of a trench collapse in Queens that trapped one person on Tuesday evening.The collapse happened at 119-02 83rd Avenue in Kew Gardens at about 4:50 p.m., the FDNY said.
  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
    A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
    A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
  • Service delays, cancellations

    Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:46:32 GMT
    Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
    Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.

    Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.

Powered by WorldNow
Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices