Stolen car crashes into Louisville family's property, setting home on fire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A family's home is uninhabitable after a stolen vehicle crashed into the family's property, setting it on fire.

The Thielmeiers purchased their home near Iroquois Park in 2017. It was the first home Senia and Matthew Thielmeier purchased together.

While Senia Thielmeier worked the overnight shift at UPS, and Matthew at Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, the two boys and Senia Thielmeier's mom, watched the home go up in flames in the early hours of Oct. 12.

Stolen Kia — This is the reported stolen Kia that crashed into the Thielmeier property, setting cars and the home on fire. *(WDRB image)*

A neighbor's Ring doorbell camera captured video of a white Kia driving at a high speed down the Thielmeier's street, followed by two Louisville Metro Police cruisers.

Damage and tire tracks lead the Thielmeiers to believe the Kia had lost control over a speed bump.

"There's kind of some marks on the speed bump here, where he hit and kind of went out of control," Senia Thielmeier said.

Further damage shows the car drove through a neighbor's yard, taking down its mailbox and damaging a car parked in its yard.

Thielmeier car — This is what is left of the Thielmeier's car after a stolen car crashed into it, causing a fire that ruined their home. *(WDRB image)*

The Kia then passed through the Thielmeier's yard, and collided with Senia's Ford F-150.

LMPD said police were in the area when it came up on the reported stolen vehicle, but it was not a "pursuit or chase."

This is what is left of the Thielmeier's car after a stolen car crashed into it, causing a fire that ruined their home. *(WDRB image)*

The suspected driver, a male, ran from the scene.

"At that point, it was just the vehicles on fire," Senia Thielmeier said. "And my children and my mother stood here... Watching the fire spread up the driveway into the house."

The Thielmeiers credit their oldest son, William, for helping get the family out. He was the first one to wake up when neighbor's showed up knocking on the door telling them there was a fire in the driveway.

Inside the Thielmeier home after a stolen car crashed into their property, setting cars and the home on fire. *(WDRB image)*

"My instinct was just grab my phone, grab everyone, and get out," William Thielmeier said.

As the fire spread to the house, it blazed through William Thielmeier's room.

Most of William Thielmeier's belongings, now sit in a pile of rubble outside the house.

"Your one mistake can affect so many people," William Thielmeier said.

Many of the Thielmeier's belongings were destroyed either by fire or in an attempt to tame the blaze.

Senia Thielmeier said the fire traveled through air vents and electrical outlets.

"It's sadness and a lot of anger and rage and unanswered questions," Matthew Thielmeier said.

The family has found short-term housing and are grateful for neighbors, friends, family, and strangers for helping them.

"There are no words that could express how grateful we are. It's touching and we're very appreciate," Senia Thielmeier said.

While there are family heirlooms and other sentimental objects that cannot be replaced, and back and forth with insurance, there is a strong feeling of gratitude for their teenage son saving their family.

"If it hadn't been for him keeping a cool head getting his brother and grandmother out of the house, we wouldn't be planning a restoration, we would planning funerals," Senia Thielmeier said.

A family friend has set up a GoFundMe for the family, for more information, click here.