Guardrails have been reinstalled after a family’s home was hit by a car

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The Kimbrough family of south Louisville described being traumatized by what happened early Sunday morning, November 17th.

A car plowed through the front of her Auburndale home and into her 6-year-old son’s bedroom. Luckily, he slept in his parents’ room that night.

The Kimbroughs complained that the city removed the guardrails protecting their home rather than replacing them.

But that changed on Tuesday when the sounds of power tools and heavy machinery came from her front yard.

Gloved hands tread carefully on cold metal to restore the family’s sense of safety.

Two weeks beforeHomeowner Maria Kimbrough said the city removed the previous guardrails and left them unprotected for “a couple of years.”

Since then, she estimated, “at least five to six” cars have left the road and ended up on her property. Some hit their trees.

On November 17, a vehicle drove into her home for the first time.

On Tuesday, a city team installed the new guardrails within a few hours.

It was a welcome change for the Kimbroughs, but not enough to erase years of frustration.

“It’s better that the rail is there,” said homeowner Rome Kimbrough.

But he also said he was still thinking about what might have happened to his son.

“Peace of mind?” Kimbrough said, “We will probably never have peace. It will never be the same.”

A spokesperson for Metro Public Works declined to speak on camera about why the guardrails were removed and not immediately replaced.

Instead, a statement was issued that made no mention of the guardrails.

“Our department is made up of dedicated officers who serve our city every day,” the statement said. “Safety is our top priority at Louisville Metro Public Works and we are committed to protecting drivers, pedestrians and others who use our roadways.”

Copyright 2024 WAVE. All rights reserved.