Video: Driver plows into Phoenix home, leaves extensive damage

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Phoenix homeowner in Maryvale is asking for help finding an SUV driver who barreled into his house on Sunday.

Alfred Copeland said his family was sleeping in the bedroom just feet away and, fortunately, no one was hurt.

The driver still hasn't been caught, but the frightening moment is all on video.

Copeland said the driver didn't really show any sign of slowing down before crashing through the home near 75th Avenue and McDowell Road.

"We heard a loud explosion," he shared.

The loud noise woke him up, and he only realized what had happened seconds later.

"I could hear the engine roaring by that time so I knew it was a car," he said.

The black SUV was caught on a neighbor's surveillance video, and the driver could be seen through the debris, backing out of the home and then driving off.

But not before, according to Copeland, the driver, who he believes was under the influence, littered the yard with trash and cans.

"Everything in the room is destroyed. I mean I had, like $15,000 to $20,000 worth of equipment in that room. It was a recording studio in there, wiped out," Copeland said.

Drywall, insulation and wood framing are now scattered throughout the room, among Copeland's speakers and musical instruments.

"I'm usually in there, sometimes 1 or 3 in the morning, editing music and for some reason, she just told me, 'It's 11 o'clock. You have to work tomorrow.' And I did, luckily I did because I would not be here talking to you," he said emotionally.

Copeland also finds solace in knowing that even with the extent of the damage, all of it is materialistic and replaceable.

"Luckily he stopped in here because that's my bedroom and he would have came right into the bedroom," he said.

Before the crash, Copeland says he was already facing some challenges, sharing he has a rare form of leukemia.

Now he's concerned about more health issues with his home being built in the 70s, he fears he may now be exposed to asbestos and fiberglass.

While he waits for insurance to give him an estimate on the costs, Copeland hopes someone knows something or saw something and will come forward.

The surveillance video shows a dark-colored SUV, and Copeland believes it's a black, newer-model Jeep Grand Cherokee.

He said the SUV's windshield and front end were damaged. If you have any information, contact Phoenix Police.