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Manhunt Underway For Driver Who Crashed Into Home In Salem County

PENNS GROVE, NJ (CBS) -- Police in Salem County, New Jersey continue to search for a driver they said slammed a car full of people into a home early Thursday morning and then ran away from the scene.

A couple in their 70's received a rude awakening around 1 a.m., when a car plowed into the side of their Penns Grove home.

"My parents are fine, a little shook up," said William Newmuis, the couple's son.

Newmuis rushed over to his parents' house to find two broken fences, a smashed up sedan and a gaping hole in the side of the house.

"To hit the house, they hit it in the right spot," he said. "The weight bearing walls are fine, just took out a corner."

Police said the driver lost control around a curve, jumped the curb, broke through two fences and crashed into the home near the intersection East Line Street and East Union Street. Carneys Point Police Sgt. Joe Johnson said speed appears to be a factor.

"Just based on the damage to the house and the damage to the vehicle," he said.

Johnson said a Penns Grove officer was trying to pull the car over, but the driver wouldn't stop. After crashing into the house, the man reportedly ran off, leaving four people in the car.

Medics took the front passenger to Salem Hospital, after she hit her head on the windshield. The others refused treatment.

Newmuis said the whole situation was completely avoidable.

"There's no need to run, just pull over. They're lucky they didn't get killed," he said.

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