POST-DISPATCH (St. Louis, Missouri) 03 April 08 Car crash prompts worry about loose snakes (Angie Leventis)
Fairview Heights: Police were concerned that reptiles might get loose after a driver crashed into two homes this morning, one occupied by a snake breeder.
Fairview Heights police said a man was driving east on when he lost control of his car and ran off the road, striking one house and crashing inside another. No one was killed or suffered major injuries.
The owner of the second home had about 10 snakes and a couple iguanas, and police were working to contain the pets.
Police Capt. Nick Gailius said none of the animals were venomous, and doesn't think any will escape due to the cold weather.
"The chance of them getting away is pretty slim," he said.
Police are not releasing the name of the driver because the accident is still under investigation.
He was the only one in the car and, after the crash, he crawled out of the wreckage and called police. The driver reported that he had been ill and had passed out just prior to the accident.
He suffered minor cuts and scrapes, and was transported to a local hospital to be examined.
There was no one at either residence when the accident occurred, but both housese suffered major damage. Preliminary investigation indicates that speed, alcohol and drugs were not factors.
Car crash prompts worry about loose snakes