Twisted fragments of verandah and remnants of a beloved rose bush were all that was left of a Corrimal grandmother's front yard on Monday, after a car ploughed into the front of her house.
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Shirley Amess and her grandson Chris McKenna awoke to a thunderous crash about 6.50am, only to discover a car driver had lost control at the nearby intersection and the vehicle crashed into the front of their Rothery Street home.
It was a close shave for 23-year-old Mr McKenna, who was sleeping less than a metre from where the car came to rest.
"It really went off with a bang - it shook the whole house - and I thought, what the hell was that?" Mrs Amess said.
"Chris first thought it was thunder and lightning, it was so loud."
The pair rushed outside to discover a passenger of the car unharmed but upset.
Yesterday Wollongong police confirmed they were investigating the driver's identity after the young male fled the scene on foot.
Despite significant damage to the front verandah, neighbouring brick fence and her beloved 24-year-old orange rose bush, Mrs Amess was thankful the accident was not as serious as some of the tragic accidents she had seen.
"It could've been worse. [The driver] could have wrapped it around the telegraph pole."
Another family member said there had been accidents at the intersection before.
"It's a notorious black spot, but it was a shock to have this happen," he said.