Damage being repaired after van crashed into Detroit home - Fox 2 News Headlines

By Maurielle Lue
Fox 2 News

DETROIT (WJBK) -- A van slammed into a family's home leaving major damage just before the holidays.  The Fox 2 Problem Solvers put out a call for help and our viewers responded.

It may have been a rainy day Thursday, but the sun was shining in Detroit.

"I'm glad that it's getting fixed.  I'm really excited.  It was cold last night, but I'm thankful that people came in and helped us.  We really needed it.  I'm really grateful to them and to Fox 2," said Renita Alexander.

Her family called Fox 2 Wednesday morning after a man drove a van through the front of their home on Detroit's west side, then reportedly ran away.  Her grandfather was rushed to the hospital with spinal injuries.  The wheelchair ramp her paralyzed grandmother uses to get in and out of the home was destroyed.

Then Fox 2 viewers showed up.  An anonymous donor hired Mar-Que General Contracting to help.

"We're going to do everything we can do to get these people's house done as fast as possible," said Billy Keehn.

Fox 2 viewer Charles King of Charles King Construction saw our story and realized he knew the family in need.

"I've (known) her for 30 years," he said.  "She used to come around the whole neighborhood, picking up all of the young people in the neighborhood, getting us to go to church and all of that, so I'm basically giving back what she gave to me."

King had the manpower, but not the materials.  He is getting almost everything he needs donated.

"I reached out to Detroit Impact to get some materials.  They're going to buy some materials.  I reached out to Habitat for Humanity.  They gave me some carpet.  The gave me the doors.  They gave me wood.  They're going to give me the windows," he said.

"We're just making sure it's secure so no rain gets inside, and then... in the morning we'll be back.  We're going to... re-frame it all back, put a new window in.  We're going to put in new carpet and that's in the living room and the hallway."

"This is the most anybody has ever done for us.  I couldn't ask for more.  I really thank them for their time, their resources," Alexander said.

The only thing these volunteers still need is a little more wood for the wheelchair ramp that Charles King promises to build to make sure that this family can go to church on Sunday.