Man Who Crashed Into Home Pleads Guilty To Driving Drunk & Aggravated Vehicular Assault

The man who sent a Mentor family of four to the hospital when he crashed into their home pleaded guity to two counts of aggravated vehicular assault and one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated Thursday in Lake County Court of Common Pleas, according to The News-Herald.

Daniel Vanderhoof Jr., 28, of Willoughby, faces up to 16 1/2 years in prison when Judge Eugene Lucci sentences him on April 11.

According to prosecutors, Vanderhoof was speeding and his blood-alcohol limit was more than twice the legal limit of .08 when he crashed into Blare-Lukasiewicz family's house on Comanche Trail in the middle of the night on December 9.

The entire family -- father Christopher Lukasiewicz, mother Tonya Blare, 3-year-old son Christopher Lukasiewicz Jr. and 18-month-old daughter Cassy Lukasiewicz -- all needed to be taken to the hospital after the crash occurred.

The father and son had the most serious injuries. All have since been released from the hospital, but the older and younger Christopher Lukasiewiczes still require physical therapy, according to The News-Herald.

Furthermore, the crash structurally damaged the family's house beyond repair.

Two banks have started funds to help the Lukasiewicz-Blare family. Both Lake National Bank and Huntington National Bank have set up accounts and are accepting donations on their behalf.