Wednesday, June 30, 1999
Driver hits church after apparent heart attack
BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP — A Fairfield Township man was injured Tuesday after suffering an apparent heart attack and crashing his van into a church at Hamilton-Mason Road and Bypass 4.
Thomas Strauss, 67, was in serious but stable condi tion at Mercy Hospital in Fairfield. He suffered bruises in the accident.
He was driving east on Hamilton-Mason Road near the bypass when he was stricken, and was headed home to call for help, township fire officials said.
Fire Chief Dave Downie said Mr. Strauss passed out and crashed into the Disciples Christian Church at 3401 Hamilton-Mason Road.
Fire crews were called to the scene shortly after 11:30 a.m.
There were four people in the church when it was struck, but none was injured. The van ended up in the church's kitchen, said Jim Beckett, president of the congregation.
Damage to the church is extensive, and the van remained in the building most of Tuesday afternoon as crews stabilized the church walls, Mr. Beckett said.
A damage estimate has not been determined. The church was built in 1978, and the kitchen area was added in 1995, Mr. Beckett said.
“This is the second time within six months that we have been hit by a vehicle,” he said. During a January ice storm, a hit-and-run driver struck the building, causing about $10,000 in damage.
Tuesday's accident is not expected to disrupt services.
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