The impact of a tractor-trailer last Friday into a house owned by Rob and Teena Zimmerman, of 670 Middle Road, was so violent that the house was lifted two feet off its foundation. Pictured is the backside view of the house. (special thanks to Robin Fry for photos)

Two days into the New Year, a local man was injured when the tractor-trailer he was operating crashed into a Muncy Township home, causing extensive damage to 670 Middle Road.

Curtis Rakestraw, driver of a vehicle, apparently veered off the road while traveling north on the township road.

Thomas McConnell, 16, of Picture Rocks, was a passenger in the trailer when Rakestraw became stricken with an unknown medical condition and lost control of the vehicle,” said township police Cpl. Ryan Smith.

The residents, Robert and Teena Zimmerman and their 3-month-old son, were not home when the 2 p.m. accident occurred.

Both vehicle occupants were wearing seat belts, according to Smith. McConnell declined medical treatment, while an ambulance reportedly took Rakestraw to Williamsport Hospital, where he was treated and released late Friday afternoon.

An inside view of the garage, which stored a recently-restored Trans-Am and tractor.

Damage to the 11-year-old home, garage and a recently restored Trans-Am car and tractor parked within total at least $160,000, according to Zimmerman. All items are insured, and the family will stay with relatives.

He couldn’t believe the damage th house sustained, which he’s lived in for six years. A substantial amount of the impact was absorbed by a garage connected to the home.

“I was pretty overwhelmed over the whole thing,” Zimmerman said. “I was kind of in shock.”

Police allowed the couple to walk inside their house to salvage some of their belongings while the wrecked truck was encased inside the home. Much of the structure was expected to collapse when the truck was extracted, according to Smith.

Zimmerman said some memories of the home will be irreplaceable but he plans to construct a new house onsite.

View of the kitchen that was destroyed by the vehicle.

Outside the building, a Windstream Communications maintenance worker repaired a telephone line damaged when the truck severed a utility pole just before hitting the house.

The worker said only one nearby home lost phone service, which was expected to be restored soon after the accident.