A "love triangle" that started in Carson City is at the center of a Sparks wreck early Tuesday morning in which a man drove a car through a home, pinning its occupants in their bed, said police.
Sparks Police Sgt. Pat Dyer said Eric Cross, 29, is being held in the Washoe County Jail on suspicion of battery with a deadly weapon, drunken driving and possession of stolen property.
According to Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Rick Dodds, Cross and his married girlfriend argued about their relationship at a friend's house on Airport Road just after midnight.
"The boyfriend wants to go one step further in the relationship, she wants to go other way," said Dodds.
As the argument became heated, Cross allegedly snatched the woman's car keys and ran out. When she tried to stop him, he shoved her down and drove off in her car.
He then apparently drove to Sparks to confront the woman's husband and at some point decided to drive the car through the house at 445 7th St., said Dyer. But the husband didn't live there.
"He just got the wrong house," said Dyer.
Cross, of Silver Springs, was detained by neighbors when he allegedly tried to run away from the wreckage.
Dyer said it appears Cross was driving in excess of 50 mph when he drove up the curb on a handicap ramp that vaulted him in the air.
"The vehicle was actually four to five feet into the air when it entered the house and was still traveling in an upward angle when it landed on top of the individuals," said Dyer. "It was a horrendous crash. It blew up this house. There were pieces of the car at least half a block away."
It took Sparks firefighters and police about 40 minutes to free the two residents after the 4:11 a.m. crash Tuesday. Authorities used air bags and hydraulic rescue equipment to get to the couple. They were described as having minor injuries.
"They were very lucky," said Dyer. "It's amazing that they weren't more seriously injured or killed."
Dodd said he will submit the case to the Carson City District Attorney's Office for charges of grand larceny and domestic battery.