3 injured after Jeep crashes into house

Driver in critical condition, 2 people inside the home injured

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – Three people are injured after a Jeep crashed into a St. Augustine Beach house early Monday morning.

Police were called to 2401 Hydrangea Street about 2 a.m., where the driver of the car and two people inside the house were injured when the Jeep crashed into the side of the home.

IMAGES:  Jeep into house

Brian Hubble, 36, and Jennifer Lyles, 33, are both in serious but non-life-threatening condition after the Jeep crashed into the bedroom where they were sleeping.

St. Johns County Sheriff's Office booking photo of Grant Ness from 2008 arrest

Channel 4 was originally told the driver of the car had died, but has since learned that 34-year-old Grant Ness (pictured right from 2008 arrest), of St. Augustine is still alive, yet in critical condition. He was transported from Flagler Hospital in St. Johns County to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center.

Police said Ness lost control of the Jeep and drove through a fence in the front yard, then sideswiped a truck before crashing into the master bedroom of the house.

"Its like a hurricane hit, just the amount of damage to the home, it's unbelievable that a car could do that," said Gabriel Hynes, a friend of the couple. "So I'm assuming the car was traveling at very high rates of speed."

Investigators said alcohol and speed are considered factors in the crash. Ness was not wearing a seat belt.

Hynes is one of dozens of people who went to check on Hubble's house and family Monday.

"I talked to Bryan a little bit in the emergency room and he really doesn't know what happened," Hynes said. "He was sleeping and all of the sudden woke up and was lying on the ground."

State records show Ness has 12 driving citations and arrests in Florida dating back to 1995. The charges include DUI, riding a bicycle while intoxicated, and speeding.

In 1995, Ness got a ticket for having an open container while driving. The following year, he got a DUI while on a bicycle, and in 2004 he was charged with the leaving the scene of an accident. In 2006, he got another DUI, and over the last three years, he's been given five speeding tickets in St. Johns County.

Friends and family of Hubble and Lyles are left to deal with insurance and construction companies as they make arrangements for the couple and their roommate who won't be able to live in the home for some time.

"It's just a terrible situation for everybody involved, but they'll put through it," Hynes said. "They've got great family, they've got great friends, and they'll get through this."