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Driver Charged With DWI After SUV Slams Into Long Island Home

MILLER PLACE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It was a rude awakening for one Long Island family early Saturday after an alleged drunken driver slammed into their home causing incredible damage.

As CBS2's Ilana Gold reported, the crash happened around 2:30 a.m. on Parkside Avenue in Miller Place as the residents slept.

"It was loud, really loud. Sounded like a firework went off," said homeowner Eddie Rorrison.

Police said 20-year-old Gerard Tegins was driving a Hyundai SUV southbound on Harrison Avenue when he blew a stop sign and lost control of the vehicle at the corner of Harrison and Parkside avenues.

car into miller place home
A driver has been charged with DWI after crashing through a home in Miller Place, N.Y. on April 18, 2015 (credit: CBS2)

The SUV went across the lawn and crashed into the living room of a home at 352 Parkside Ave, police said. The home suffered extensive damage.

"That double door probably saved our lives. That was heading toward our apartment side," said Chris Spilberg, who lives at the home.

Spilberg and his fiance woke up to the chaos just a few feet away.

"(What did you think when you saw that?) I didn't know what to think. Was it a dream or what?" he said.

All four of the residents ran into the dining room and couldn't miss the damage or the man behind the wheel.

"The kid was in the car trying to start the car, trying to flee the scene," said Rorrison.

Driver Charged With DWI After SUV Slams Into Long Island Home

"I see him trying to start the car and open the door -- trying to run, I think," Melissa Latino told 1010 WINS' Roger Stern. "And he couldn't get out of the car. And then he snuck out the back passenger door where he was able to get out and tried to make a run for it."

Rorrison and Latino said neighbors had to restrain Tegins until the police arrived.

"He wanted a cigarette. Those were the first words out of his mouth. We told him he wasn't getting a cigarette," Rorrison said.

"When he opened the door there was actually beer cans falling out of the door," Rorrison added.

Tegins, of Port Jefferson Station, was taken to John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson for minor injuries. No one else was injured in the crash, police said.

Police charged Tegins with driving while intoxicated. Authorities said other charges are pending.

"I hope he learns his lesson and he thinks twice the next time he drinks and drives he could have killed any one of us in that house," Latino said.

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