A car has crashed into a house in the Waikato this morning. Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on Paki St, in Huntly, just before 1am. Supplied: Belinda Feek
A woman who crashed her vehicle into a house in Huntly this morning was driving at more than three times the breath alcohol limit.
Waikato Police spokesman Andrew McAlley said the 25-year-old woman has been charged with dangerous driving and excessive breath alcohol.
The female driver blew 776mcg when breath tested by police after the 12.50am crash on Paki St today, McAlley said.
The legal limit is 250mcg.
Police are yet to confirm details of the crash, but it appears, from skid marks at the scene, the car has failed to negotiate a sweeping right bend on Baker St, getting up on the grass, crashing through a give way sign, crossing into Paki St and crashing into the bottom of the house.
It was believed the house had been significantly damaged as a result of the crash.
A neighbour, who declined to be named, said she had just finished a night shift and was up and about when she heard the car screeching and then a big bang as it ploughing into the house.
"The car has to stay there because the house will fall down ... It took out one of the main beams, or something.
"The woman went outside and said the driver was "real drunk" while her male passenger fled the scene.
She believed the driver was aged between 19 and 28.
Police say it appears from skid marks that the car has failed to negotiate a sweeping right bend. Photo / Belinda Feek
She said a family of five or six had just recently moved into the house and was sleeping in the lounge - directly above where the car crashed through.
When asked what they said, the woman said: "They just thought if their house wasn't that high they would be dead.
"Where the car is here is directly where (mum) was lying, directly under the TV."
Police said a council building inspector would liaise with firefighters about removing the car at some stage.
A man who was asleep in the lounge with his former partner was woken by the bang.
The three children, aged 4, 11 and 15, were asleep in the rear bedrooms.
The pair in the car initially left the scene, he said, before the female driver came back. She left again before returning with friends and speaking to police.
The driver of the car has been charged with drink driving and dangerous driving and will appear in the Huntly District Court in due course, police said.
"It felt like an earthquake"
Violet Rehu had been reading and was walking back into the lounge when she saw the vehicle's lights and could hear the car screeching.
"I thought they're moving really quick, I hope they make the corner and then heard a whole bunch of screaming."
Ms Rehu said she heard someone say "watch out, oh f***," and then felt it crash into the house.
"It was like a big boom, it felt like an earthquake."
Ms Rehu said she was initially worried about the people in the car, so she opened the window and checked before ringing 111.
Although there have been reports of two people in the car, with a female driving, both she and her neighbour believe there was a third person in the car too.
The woman who claimed she was driving was obviously drunk, she said.
"She was drunk, stumbling and slurring words."
All her children, aged 4, 11 and 15, were fine and thought the whole thing was exciting, she said.
