While at work, Kim Leserance received a call from her 17-year-old daughter, who informed her that a car had struck their house.

On June 28, Madison Leserance, 17, was present when a driver crashed into the residence.

“I said, ‘What do you mean a car hit the house?’” Kim Leserance recounted.

Promptly getting into her car to head towards the Los Arroyos residence she had purchased 15 years prior, she listened as her daughter explained how a man had driven into the corner of their garage because he was using his phone behind the wheel.

“She’s like, ‘Brace yourself, mom. There’s a hole on the side of the house.’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean there’s a hole?’ and she said, ‘There’s a hole,’ and then I came around the corner and I saw the big ol’ hole.” (GVNews 2023)

Police informed her that a distracted driver had disregarded a yield sign, proceeded up her driveway, and collided with the corner of her garage.

“He severed the gas line. He took out the electric. He took out the corner of my garage, and when I say that, I mean, he took out the entire corner. There was nothing holding up the corner after he hit it,” Leserance detailed.

Fortunately, no injuries were sustained by her daughter, but her home was rendered uninhabitable. Over a month later, the situation remained unchanged. Since June 28, she and her daughter, Madison, have been residing in a rental home located four miles away.

She aspires to return to her house by year-end, but her insurance provider cautioned that it might not be feasible until February.

What accounts for this extended timeline? Leserance and her insurance company need to gather repair estimates for the garage, engage a contractor, employ an architectural or structural engineer to create designs, and navigate the permitting procedure. Additionally, consent for reinstallation or reconnection of the gas line and electricity must be obtained.

Securing a contractor has proven to be a challenge, with many currently committed to other obligations, she revealed.

While her garage has been temporarily reinforced and secured, allowing her and Madison to retrieve their belongings periodically, the situation is far from ideal, according to Leserance.

Sahuarita Police Lt. Michael Falquez disclosed that the 32-year-old driver from Phoenix was cited for failing to control speed to avert an accident. He exhibited no signs of impairment and conveyed that he momentarily glanced away prior to the collision, Falquez reported.

The Takeaway

Distracted driving stands as a perilous behavior with severe consequences, illustrating the importance of maintaining one’s focus on the road while operating a vehicle. The incident involving Kim Leserance’s house being struck by a distracted driver highlights the potential dangers associated with this alarming trend. Distracted driving occurs when a driver diverts their attention away from the primary task of driving, usually due to engaging in activities like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or using in-car entertainment systems.

The ramifications of distracted driving can be devastating. A driver’s divided attention diminishes their ability to react promptly and appropriately to unexpected situations on the road. The consequences often range from minor fender-benders to catastrophic collisions resulting in injuries or even fatalities. As Leserance’s case underscores, distracted driving can lead to significant property damage as well, impacting not only the drivers involved but also innocent bystanders and homeowners.

One of the most concerning aspects of distracted driving is its prevalence. With the ubiquity of smartphones and other electronic devices, the temptation to engage in activities unrelated to driving is ever-present. Although laws and campaigns against distracted driving have been implemented to curb this behavior, the allure of staying connected or multitasking while behind the wheel continues to pose a serious risk.

To mitigate the dangers of distracted driving, education and awareness campaigns play a vital role. Informing drivers about the potential consequences of diverting their attention from the road can encourage safer driving habits. Additionally, strict enforcement of laws against texting or using handheld devices while driving is essential to discourage these behaviors. As Kim Leserance’s unfortunate incident highlights, the consequences of distracted driving can extend far beyond the driver’s immediate surroundings, affecting the lives of those in the vicinity. Therefore, understanding and promoting the importance of undistracted driving remains paramount for the safety and well-being of all road users.

Getting Over The Trauma

“It’s been difficult trying to make do with what our rental has versus what I have at my home,” she said. “The rental comes with everything, but when I try to cook, I like using my gas stove and this one’s electric and my spices are at the house… Of course, I can go back and grab things as I need them sometimes, but going back and forth is a little inconvenient.”

For a period, Madison exhibited heightened sensitivity to loud sounds. Nonetheless, she has managed the situation commendably, her mother noted.

“I try not to look at the worst-case scenario in all of this,” Kim Leserance said. “It’s kind of like, you know, it happened for a reason. We’ll get through it and it’ll be fine and it will be fixed and life will go on.”

Even though she plans to decorate for Christmas, she acknowledged that the adornments might not be as extravagant as they would be in her own residence.

“I like Christmas too much not to decorate,” she quipped. They’ll make it work.