PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A Bay area faith-based group needs help after someone smashed one of their vans this past weekend and left the scene.
- Van belonged to Pinellas Hope
- Tractor trailer smashed into van, which was parked legally
- Wish to help? Contact Pinellas Hope director Danielle Husband: dhusband@ccdosp.org
The crash happened over the weekend at Pinellas Hope in Pinellas Park, which is part of Catholic Charities. A truck driver hit their parked van, making the van unusable.
“We are completely heartbroken,” said director Danielle Husband. “We’re disappointed about what it’s going to do to us.”
Pinellas Hope serves about 400 residents in both their homeless shelter and apartments. Volunteers use the van several times a day for different things.
“We use the van daily for medical appointments at the VA. We go on food runs, we pick up donations," Husband explained. "Without having this here, it’s going to drastically impact our ability to provide services to our clients and residents."
Pinellas Hope does have surveillance from before the crash. It shows a tractor trailer hauling cars that crashed into the van, which was legally parked on its property.
The video doesn't make it clear who the truck belongs to, however.
Pinellas Park Police are now trying to track down the driver.
In the meantime, the charity hopes another van can be donated or money can be raised to buy a new one.
If you would like to help Pinellas Hope or know someone who could, please contact Danielle Husband at dhusband@ccdosp.org or call (813) 650-5516.