Truck vs. house: House wins

By Barbara Brown
A gapping hole was left in the side of a North Branch house last week when a neighbor drove his truck into the home on 379th Court.
North Branch Police arrested Daniel Wayne Kamphenkel, 32, of 379th Court, for driving under the influence of alcohol after he allegedly lost control of his sport utility vehicle on June 12 and plowed into the side wall of the house across the street.
According to witnesses of the accident Kamphenkel backed his truck out of his own driveway and intended to leave the neighborhood heading west on Greenway Avenue.
Witnesses said Kamphenkelís truck continued at a fast speed in a semi-circle and slammed into a metal chain-link dog kennel and into the side of the neighborís house.
North Branch police and fire units were called to the scene, but when they arrived the vehicle had been removed.
Firefighters inspected the scene and checked for possible gas leaks. The house gas meter was struck in the collision. No leak was found.
According to witnesses, Kamphenkel backed his truck away from the house and returned to his own driveway, knocking over the neighborís mailbox along the way.
Kamphenkelís truck was found parked in the garage of his home.
Officers quickly arrested Kamphenkel, whose child apparently was in the truck at the time of the accident.
No one was injured, but the story could have been different.
Neighbors said about 30 children live in the immediate area of where the accident occurred and most often many can be found playing together near the intersection of Greenway and 379th.
Police said the cost of damages was not available as of press time.

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