A Homeowner’s Nightmare: Cars Crashing into His House
John Gall’s home, situated at the intersection of South Taylor Road and Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights, has become a hotspot for car crashes. In the past decade, three cars have crashed into his property, with the latest incident occurring in 2023. While the crashes are no laughing matter, the absurdity of the situation is hard to ignore.
A History of Crashes
The first crash, which occurred in 2012, took out Gall’s pickup truck parked in the driveway. In 2021, a police chase ended with a car crashing into his kitchen. Then, in 2022, another crash destroyed his garage. The latest incident, in 2023, landed on the lawn but narrowly missed the house.
The City’s Response
The city of Cleveland Heights removed a guardrail in front of Gall’s house, which has raised questions about their decision-making process. According to Mayor Khalil Seren, the city has offered Gall various solutions, including bollards, wooden posts, field stones, and concrete barriers. However, Gall remains adamant that only a guardrail will suffice.
A Stalemate
The city claims that a guardrail is not possible due to Ohio Department of Transportation guidelines, which cite an impalement risk to eastbound motorists on Fairmount. Despite this, Gall refuses to budge, leading to a stalemate between him and the city.
A War of Wits
Gall’s determination to get a guardrail has led to a war of wits with the city. He has taken to displaying witty yard signs and giving interviews to news stations, determined to get his point across. Meanwhile, the city seems willing to compromise, but Gall’s stubbornness has made it difficult to find a solution.
A Question of Priorities
One can’t help but wonder why the city removed the guardrail in the first place. Was it deemed too unsightly? Was it needed elsewhere? The removal of the guardrail has led to a series of crashes, which raises questions about the city’s priorities.
A Solution in Sight?
While the situation may seem absurd, there are non-guardrail solutions available. The rocks currently in place seem effective, and adding more could provide adequate protection for Gall’s home. However, until Gall and the city can come to an agreement, the crashes will likely continue, and the war of wits will rage on.
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