A marital dispute in Pennsylvania has taken an extreme turn, resulting in the destruction of a large chunk of their house.
According to local reports, 48-year-old Eric Pierwsza used an excavator to rip apart the rear of his family home in Butler County after a big night of drinking prompted an argument with his wife.
The damage to the house was so severe that investigators believe it has compromised the entire building’s structural integrity.
According to CBS News, the incident unfolded when Pierwsza’s wife reportedly told him their marriage was over, to which Pierwsza responded by saying: “If it’s over, I’ll tear the house down.”
He then followed through.
Local authorities allege Pierwsza climbed into the heavy machinery and began tearing into the house while his wife and two daughters were still inside.
The sound of the excavator tearing through the walls could reportedly be heard during his wife’s frantic 911 call.
After the destruction stopped, investigators say Pierwsza went back inside, grabbed a gym bag, and went into town, before eventually located and taken into custody by police.
Pierwsza was arrested over the incident and is now facing several charges, including causing a catastrophe, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct.
Court records also show his wife planned to seek a protection-from-abuse order following the terrifying incident.
Neighbors who spoke with local news outlet KDKA-TV said they are still struggling to understand how the situation escalated so quickly.
One neighbor joked in an interview with CBS News that he’d: “like to know what she said to him because I’ll make sure I don’t say it.”
“Forty-two years I’ve been married, but I’ve never threatened to tear the house down.”
Users flocked to a post on X to weigh in on the wild incident, with many questioning how someone can be arrested for “damaging their own home”.
“How does he get arrested for tearing down his own house?” one person questioned.
Another poked fun: “Well, no one ever accused him of not following through on his word.”
Many others made light of the domestic clash.
“I don’t think insurance will cover that one,” a third noted, while another said, “Wondering who’ll get the house in the divorce?”
“How did the fight get to this point of tearing down your house just to prove a point?” someone else pointed out.
Pierwsza is due in court for his preliminary hearing on June 9.
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