DERRY — A Chester man, who crashed into a house and antique vehicle on Route 102 in Derry Saturday morning, is in good condition in a Boston area hospital.
Joseph O'Brien, 51, was driving on Route 102 just before 10 a.m. Saturday, when he crashed his 2000 Mercury Cougar into a house at 66 Chester Road and a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air parked in the driveway.
Police said O'Brien appears to have suffered a medical problem while driving. He was in good condition Monday at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, according to a hospital spokesman.
O'Brien was flown to Boston by medical helicopter after being transported to Parkland Medical Center in Derry.
Bob Nihan was in his garage at 66 Chester Road when the accident happened. He said he doesn't remember hearing the crash, even though it caused substantial damage to his home and favorite car. He rushed out to see what happened and saw O'Brien in his vehicle. Nihan said O'Brien waved his arm, but was unconscious when police arrived.
ihan said he doesn't care about the damage to his house, but is upset his favorite car might be a total loss. He owns seven cars, including two Corvettes and an antique Volkswagen bus, but he's owned the Chevy the longest.
"This is the last one that I wanted to get hit," he said.
Nihan said his wife was upset because it was their "date car and wedding car."
He purchased it 10 years ago from California and restored it himself, except for some body work and a paint job.
O'Brien's car hit the rear driver's side and bent the roof of the Bel Air. Nihan said he doesn't know whether it's worth fixing.
"I was about to spiff it up for the summertime," he said.
The garage was damaged in the crash. A black 1990 Chevrolet Corvette parked inside suffered minor damage.
