A drunk driver crashed into Gary Crawford’s home at 100 mph, leaving the 75-year-old cancer patient nearly homeless with no insurance relief.
POULSBO, Wash. — Ten months after a drunk driver plowed through Gary Crawford’s home, the wreckage remains — as well as a life left in ruins.
Late last July, a drunk driver going 100 mph missed a turn and crashed directly into the 75-year-old Navy veteran’s Poulsbo home. The impact was catastrophic.
“It was all the way in. All four wheels were in the living room,” said George Crawford, Gary’s son.
Gary’s family says his mother left the house to him in her will, but the transfer was never formalized with the state. Because of that, Gary’s insurance company has refused to approve a claim. The house has since been condemned and deemed uninhabitable, leaving Gary essentially homeless and living on his property with no electricity or hot water.
“Oh, it hurts because none of us can do anything,” George said.
Every avenue Gary has pursued to get help to rebuild his house has been unsuccessful.
But while fighting the insurance company, Gary is also fighting a far more personal battle — one for his life. Gary is dying of prostate cancer.
“It’s a hell of a thing to be dying of cancer, and it’s a hell of a thing to be let down by your country, especially after you fight for it,” said Mike Dickinson, a close friend of Gary’s.
Dickinson says Gary once gave him a place to sleep when he needed one. Now, watching his friend’s situation grow more desperate, that gratitude has turned to anger.
“He deserves to die with dignity. Just die with dignity. Sure as (EXPLETEIVE) not like this,” Dickinson said.
Gary was too ill to speak with KING 5 Thursday. Dickinson acknowledged the uncertainty hanging over the family.
“We just don’t know. That’s the tough thing. We need help,” he said.
George added, “My dad doesn’t speak about his problems. He doesn’t make it shown, but I can see it. It’s really hard.”
Friends have established an online fundraiser to help Gary demolish the damaged structure, hire an attorney to fight the insurance company and secure permanent housing — all against a clock that may be running out.
Said Dickinson, “If you serve your country you shouldn’t have to put up with this.”
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