Car crash destroys duplex

A law enforcement officer inspects the scene Friday where a Ford Mustang ran into a duplex just after midnight in the 1300 block of Randall Road. The vehicle's driver, Zachary L. Shawano, 19, of Madison, Wis., was arrested early Friday for driving under the influence, reckless driving and no proof of insurance.

Lawrence resident Timothy Klaus is counting his blessings.

The father of four was watching television inside his duplex in the 1300 block of Randall Road, when early Friday morning the whole house shook.

A car came crashing through the wall and a 2006 Ford Mustang ended up inside his living room.

Klaus said the driver appeared to be uninjured but confused. Lawrence police identified the driver as Zachary L. Shawano, 19, of Madison, Wis. He was arrested for driving under the influence, reckless driving and no proof of insurance. He was later released.

“He was actually standing in my living room,” Klaus said. “He just seemed like he didn’t know where he was at all.”

Klaus was struck in the head by flying debris. Paramedics checked him out at the scene.

“All I got out of it was a knot on the side of my head,” he said later Friday, as he surveyed the extensive damage.

Two of Klaus’ children were upstairs during the commotion. They had to climb over the car, which came to rest on the stairs leading to the second floor, to make it out of the house.

Two people in the adjoining residential unit were also inside and both were uninjured, according to police.

Klaus said he was told by officers at the scene that it appeared the car was traveling at speeds of up to 80 mph, missed the curve on Randall Road and went airborne.

Residents said the duplex is uninhabitable.