A Washington homeowner says a driver smashed through multiple roadside mailboxes before the car ended up on its side against trees on the property.
The homeowner shared the account on Reddit, where they said they first heard a loud crash and thought a branch had fallen on the roof. Instead, they found a car near the trees after it allegedly plowed through their mailbox and a neighbor’s mailbox, according to We Got This Covered.
No injuries were reported in the homeowner’s account.
The poster said the vehicle occupants did not want police called and asked to handle the situation with a tow truck and insurance information.
The Homeowner Says Witnesses Had Already Called Police
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The Reddit poster said emergency services were called quickly, both by the homeowner and by people who stopped after the crash.
The homeowner also claimed witnesses saw the driver behaving recklessly before losing control on the country road. Police had already been notified by several passersby before the occupants asked to avoid a police response, according to the post.
The poster also said one person was later arrested after officers arrived. The account did not identify any charges.
The Trees May Have Prevented Worse Damage
The homeowner wrote that trees on the property stopped the vehicle and may have kept it from hitting a neighbor’s house.
The mailbox was the most obvious damage, but the trees could become the bigger question. The poster said they hoped the trees would not have to come down and planned to have an arborist take a look.
That is the part many homeowners can miss after a roadside crash. A mailbox can usually be replaced quickly, but a damaged tree near a road, driveway, or house may need a closer look before cleanup is finished.
Mailbox Repairs Still Have Rules
The U.S. Postal Service says curbside mailboxes should generally be 41 to 45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or mail-entry point, and 6 to 8 inches back from the curb. If there is no raised curb, USPS says residents should contact the local postmaster for guidance.
USPS also says the best mailbox supports are stable but can bend or fall away if a car hits them. The agency advises against unyielding supports such as heavy metal pipes, concrete posts, or farm equipment filled with concrete.
After a crash, homeowners should photograph the damage, save witness information, get the police report number, check whether trees or posts were damaged, and confirm mailbox placement before installing a replacement.