The driver was taken to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center. Fire Department Capt. Steve Teske said it appeared that he had suffered some kind of medical emergency just before the crash.

The crash happened at about 1:30 p.m. at 2210 13th Ave. S.

A Chevrolet van traveling down an alley next to the house hit the northeast corner of the building.

Paulette Soppeland, of Fort Dodge, was in the house, which is where her son lives.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A pair of Fort Dodge police officers examine the damage after a Chevrolet van hit a house at 2210 13th Avenue S. Friday afternoon.

“It just rocked the whole side of the room,” she said.

“I came running out and heard the engine running,” she said. “I tried to get the driver out. He was revving the motor. It was like he didn’t know what to do. I don’t think he knew he had an accident.”

Soppeland agreed with the firefighters’ assessment that the driver had some kind of medical crisis right before the crash.

Teske said the impact pushed a wall of the house 4 feet to the south. The wall, he said, is made of clay tile block covered with siding.

The front of the house, which was once rectangular, now has a distinct bend on its east side.

The crash remains under investigation by Fort Dodge police.

The alley and a portion of 13th Avenue South were closed after the crash.

Fort Dodge Public Works Department employees assisted police and firefighters at the scene.