Donations sought for Hempfield family whose home is unlivable after car crashed into it

May 11—It's been a tough week for Amanda Clark as she searches for a place for her family to live after a car slammed into her Hempfield rental home, rendering it uninhabitable.

She's staying in a hotel for now thanks to a donation from a stranger. But beyond that is up in the air, she said.

Plus, Clark is looking for temporary housing for two dogs and two cats.

But there was a bright spot over the weekend for her daughter and son.

"We got to spend Mother's Day together," she said.

State police said an 18-year-old Jeannette man was speeding on Sells Lane at 12:30 p.m. May 3 and passed another vehicle going in the same direction. He crashed into a mailbox and utility pole before slamming into Clark's home. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. Three other teens were in the car, police said.

Troopers expect to charge the driver in connection with the crash. Nothing had been filed Tuesday.

Clark pushed her 2-year-old son out of the path of the car while he stood at the glass storm door looking outside. The crash pushed a wall next to the front door in, leaving the home unsafe, she said.

A GoFundMe account has raised about $7,000 for Clark and her children. She's been making phone calls, trying to connect with local agencies that might be able to offer housing or other support. But she's found rent prices to be high and is instead hoping to make an investment with the donations.

"The goal now is to buy and not rent," Clark said.

Both of her children have in-home therapy sessions and having a permanent place to live would help. Family and friends have been pitching in for the time being. But it's scary and stressful to not have a plan, she said.

Donations can be made at https://gofund.me/2559fc45gofund.me/2559fc45. tps://gofund.me/2559fc

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .