“Driver in Grinch Costume Crashes Car Into The Word Barn on Christmas Night, Causing Significant Damage”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : EXETER — A motorist dressed as the Grinch crashed his vehicle into The Word Barn in Exeter on Christmas night, causing extensive damage to the property. The incident occurred at 66 Newfields Road, prompting the response of Exeter police and fire departments at 5:50 p.m. on December 25th. Authorities found a silver Honda CRV on the front lawn, with its driver’s door open and the operator, a 31-year-old Exeter man, dressed in a full Grinch costume.

Fortunately, the driver did not sustain any injuries in the crash, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the accident. Exeter Police Chief Stephan Poulin described the incident as a “unique situation,” noting that it was unexpected to find a driver dressed as the Grinch behind the wheel. Poulin added, “But it was Christmas night, so it’s not entirely outside the realm of possibility. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt.”

According to the police report, the driver was traveling south on Newfields Road when he became distracted near a curve in the road. As a result, the vehicle veered off the roadway, colliding with The Word Barn’s mailbox, sign, and several lights along the path in the front yard. The car sustained significant front-end damage, including a smashed windshield and a broken rear driver’s side window.

Following the accident, the driver, who claimed to be uninjured, was assessed by Exeter fire and rescue personnel and subsequently taken to Exeter Hospital. The vehicle was later towed from the scene by New England Truck Center.

Ben Anderson, the owner of The Word Barn, shared his astonishment at the incident. He recounted that he was preparing Christmas dinner when he heard a loud bang noise. It was only after reviewing his security camera footage that Anderson realized a car had crashed into his property. He described the footage, saying, “You can tell it didn’t make the corner, and then I heard the crash. We ran outside to see if we could provide any assistance, and we found the vehicle way up on our lawn, having traveled probably 400 to 500 feet up the lawn.”

To Anderson’s surprise, he found the driver still inside the car, wearing a complete Grinch outfit and talking on the phone. The driver appeared to be incoherent and somewhat shocked but claimed to be unharmed. Unfortunately, the driver was uninsured, and Anderson estimates that the damages from the accident will amount to nearly $10,000.

The damaged sign was a new addition to The Word Barn’s property, replacing a previous one that was also struck in a car accident last December. Anderson had hired a local sign maker to create a more durable sign positioned further from the road for safety reasons. However, the recent crash has left the new sign completely shattered.

Anderson emphasized the challenging nature of the road where The Word Barn is located, mentioning a tricky curve that requires drivers’ attention. While he believes the accidents were due to driver errors rather than road conditions, he acknowledged that the corner can catch people off guard, especially in snowy conditions.

As for repairing the extensive damage caused by the crash, Anderson is still considering his options. He may set up a GoFundMe campaign or bear the cost of repairs himself. Reflecting on the incident, he described it as an “amazing, surreal story,” remarking, “I suppose on Christmas Day, the Grinch arrives.”

The Word Barn, a popular event venue, suffered severe destruction to its sign, mailbox, lights, and honey stand. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

For more local news and updates, visit The Word Barn’s official website..