Truck slams into Palm Harbor apartments

Sal Brandaso, with Randazzo Builders of Sorrento, removes debris from a damaged apartment this morning at the Providence at Palm Harbor apartment complex, 155 Kristen Court in Palm Harbor. Four families were rattled out of their sleep around 12:45 a.m. when a pickup truck smashed into the building, leaving a gaping hole in the wall and destroying one unit's living room. The driver of the truck fled the scene after the accident. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]

Rafeal Rafa, left, and Brandaso remove debris from a damaged apartment. No one was injured in the crash, but fire officials examined the building and found it still structurally sound. Three of the four families were allowed to return to their homes, while the fourth family was relocated to a new apartment in the complex. Meanwhile, authorities continue their search for the driver of the pickup truck, which came to rest amid the debris outside the building. Officials said damage to the building reach into the thousands of dollars. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]