PATERSON — A driver plowed his car deep into a home on Burlington and Totowa avenues Friday and was arrested when he assaulted the fireman who tried to help him, police said.

No one was injured when the black car crashed at about 5:30 p.m., but four people were inside. The car could be seen deep into the house, which suffered extensive damage.

Justin Hart, 26, lives at the house and was home when the car struck.

"I was in the bathroom about to take a shower and I just hear a huge crash, boom," Hart said. "Next thing you know my wife ran downstairs and told me to get out the bathroom. I ran upstairs and I see a car in the middle of my living room. Everything is completely destroyed in that part of the house."

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The family has lived there for two years.

"I saw this happen on TV, I just never though it would happen where I live," Hart said.

The driver was charged with aggravated assault on a firefighter and authorities are investigating a possible driving under the influence charge, Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale said.

The glass on the car's windows was shattered and the front was severely damaged. One of the street signs ended up on the front lawn of the house.

The slope of the lawn launched the vehicle up higher into the house when the driver lost control, Speziale said.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” said one neighbor on the scene.

When the fireman tried to guide the driver to safety, the man became combative and started swinging punches at him, Speziale said. The firefighter was hit on his right eyebrow but is OK and in good spirits, the police director said.

"He did a phenomenal job," Speziale said, "and here’s a guy who’s trying to save someone from getting hurt and you end up having somebody become combative and hurting you."

Joshua Jongsma is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all the major news happening in North Jersey, subscribe here. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com

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