Mineola Garden Apartments got an unexpected visitor Sunday morning, Sept. 22.

Eddie Earl Harris plowed his pickup through the corner of the building. No one was injured, but the accident demolished the office and displaced two residents. 

Harris was trapped in the vehicle under live power lines from the electric pole he drove through. SWEPCO was on the scene with three trucks and safely removed them. 

Harris later bonded out of jail with his second offense for driving while intoxicated. 

The city inspector, Kurt Myers, deemed the two apartments uninhabitable. Residents are currently staying with friends and family and the animal shelter is housing their pets at no charge to the owners. One apartment will be opening up soon for one of the residents to relocate.

David Butler purchased the apartment complex in August and had started plans to renovate and update the apartments. All plans have been put on hold until insurance claims have been resolved. 

Butler was impressed by the quick response of the city manager Mercy Rushing, building inspector Kurt Myers, EMT services, the police department, the fire department, and animal control in efficiently assessing the damage and coming to help. 

“First responders did a magnificent job,” said Butler.