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The Model Y SUV ended up halfway into the basement of the River Road home just off Bergen Avenue around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 19, Police Capt. Kevin Van Saders said.
"I had no idea what happened when I heard such a loud bang, like an explosion and the house shook," the family's house sitter said. "I ran downstairs and there was soot and ash everywhere, but I still didn’t realize what was going on until I heard the man in the car calling for help and then I noticed his car through the window above where he drove into.
"It was very scary," she added. "I had only been downstairs near the impact moments before it happened. Thankfully myself and the family cat happened to be upstairs when the crash occurred."
New Milford firefighters freed Julio Estevez, 43, with help from their Hackensack colleagues and an ambulance crew from Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck.
They first had to stabilize the vehicle and the home before getting him out. The Tesla was later removed by a tow truck.
The New Milford Building Department and PSE&G also responded to inspect the integrity of the building and utilities.
Estevez wasn't injured.
He failed a field sobriety test at the scene and was taken into custody, Van Saders said.
Estevez was charged with DWI, refusing to submit to a breath test, reckless driving and careless driving, then released to a family member pending a Municipal Court appearance under John's Law, the captain said.
Kyle Mazza/UNF News, Yaniv Besterman and the Hackensack and New Milford fire departments took the photos and contributed to this account.
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