Wellesley Home Hit By Car, Causing Gas Leak

WELLESLEY (CBS) - Wellesley police have found the driver who crashed into a home overnight, causing a natural gas leak.

A car slammed into the side of a house on Cliff Road just before midnight and then drove away.

There was a family of four inside the home at the time, a man, a woman and their two grandchildren.

They were not hurt. But the car tore up the gas line and they had to evacuate.

The gas was shut off and the family was eventually allowed to return home.

Officers were able to track down the driver because he left his bumper and license plate at the scene.

It's still not clear what caused the crash, but police told WBZ-TV they have ruled out alcohol or the driver having a medical emergency.

Criminal charges are likely, investigators said.

The homeowner, Thomas O'Donnell, woke up to neighbors yelling through his window.

"They wisely instructed, 'don't do anything, just get out of the house,'" he said.

He said that neighbor possibly saved their lives.

"He's a hero.  He just happened to be looking from his window when he heard the crash.  He responded in the appropriate way.  I'd like to say he did that because he is a Marine," O'Donnell said.