Stolen SUV crashes into Tarpon Springs home, driver flees

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Police are investigating after a stolen SUV crashed into the front of a Tarpon Springs home early Tuesday morning. 

Officers responded at 12:55 a.m. to the 1200 block of South Disston Avenue, where a silver 2009 Ford Edge had slammed into the front of a home, causing structural damage.  

Police say four people were asleep inside the house at the time of the crash. None of the occupants were injured. The driver, however, had fled.

"The whole house shook," said Tammi Williams. “It used to be our daughter’s bedroom but a year ago I was freaked out that something like this would happen.” 

Witnesses told authorities that they saw a man running from the scene. Police searched the area with both a helicopter and a K-9 unit, but were not able to locate the driver.  Witnesses say the man they saw had sustained visible injuries as a result of the crash, however that has not been confirmed. 

“It’s hard to feel safe,” Williams said

The vehicle was stolen on Christmas day in Dunedin after the owner loaned it to an acquaintance. Police have since notified the owner of the crash. The extent of the structural damage to the house is unknown, pending a building inspection.