Driver: Pothole Caused Crash into House

The driver of a pickup truck that crashed into an Essex Street home on Friday afternoon told police he slammed into the home after hitting a pothole.

The driver suffered non life-threatening injuries and nobody in the home - which was unoccupied at the time of the crash - was injured.

The Beverly Police and Fire departments along with Northeast Ambulance were called to 80 Essex St. at 3:50 p.m., according to Beverly Police Officer Michael Boccuzzi, a department spokesman.

The GMC pickup truck involved in the crash was driven by Kenneth Hitchings, 57, of Beverly. The truck had heavy front end damage, plus there was structural damage to the home, police said. Hitchings told officers he hit a pothole, causing him to veer.

He attempted to correct the vehicle and he over-corrected, hitting a parked car before slamming into the front porch of the home, according to police.

Hitchings was taken by ambulance to Beverly Hospital. Police will charge him with driving to endanger and a marked lanes violation.

Photo: Twitter @SurrahBallz