WATCH: Car Crashes Into South Park Day Care Playground; Driver Charged With DUI
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
SOUTH PARK, Pa. (KDKA) - A man who was allegedly under the influence is accused of plowing into a playground at a South Park day care after a police chase.
"When I saw that video, I just got sick. I was sick, and I just could not believe it. I was in disbelief. I just feel it was a miracle that no one was harmed, honestly," said Jessica Hoffman.
WEB EXTRA: Suspect Caught On Video --
Hoffman's son Eli is almost 2 years old. He was at the day care on Monday when it happened around 11:20 a.m. She said KinderCare quickly alerted parents.
"My stomach dropped, I was shaking, I instantly thinking it could have ended in a catastrophe. I just wanted to go and hurry up and pick up my son and hold him," she said.
According to the criminal complaint, it all began when South Park police got a call Monday that a 22-year-old had overdosed on Xanax and was threatening his girlfriend.
Once police got there, an officer says he saw a white Audi sedan pull out of the driveway of Ridge Road and crash into a small hill. When the officer put on his lights and sirens, the criminal complaint says Jacob Balcer took off.
Police say they started to pursue Balcer, who was going upwards of 70 to 90 mph, until calling off the chase because it wasn't safe.
They caught up with Balcer after he crashed his car into the playground area of KinderCare. After the crash, video shows Balcer allegedly backing his vehicle out of the playground, barreling through the parking lot, over a rock garden and back across Ridge Road.
The criminal complaint says another police vehicle was blocking Balcer, and he got out of his car and was arrested.
"My son and the rest of the children were outside on that playground, and they went in for lunch just 5 minutes prior so that really disturbed me," Hoffman said.
A KinderCare spokesperson said they're thankful no one was hurt. She said the whole thing happened during lunchtime. The kids were not in the area at that time.
Meanwhile, Hoffman praises police and the day care employees for doing everything they could to keep the children safe.
"I feel overall that the situation was handled wonderful, everyone came out of it unharmed and I get to hug my baby and that's all that matters," she said.
Police say he also drove through several yards on Ridge Road, causing damage to neighbors' properties.
In addition to DUI, he's facing multiple counts of criminal mischief, fleeing or attempting to elude police officers, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person and several other charges.
