A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly used an excavator to demolish his own home while his wife and two daughters were still inside. The incident occurred in Buffalo Township, where Erik Pierwsza, 48, is accused of smashing portions of the house with the construction vehicle following an argument about the end of his marriage.
Details of the Incident
According to the Buffalo Township Police Department, Pierwsza and his wife were arguing about the potential dissolution of their marriage when he allegedly threatened, “If it's over, I'll tear the house down.” Shortly after, he reportedly climbed into an excavator and used its claw to tear away chunks of the house while his wife and children hid inside. The wife called 911, and operators reported hearing screams and machinery sounds in the background.
Charges and Aftermath
Pierwsza has been charged with three counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of disorderly conduct, and one count of causing a catastrophe. Investigators expressed concern over the structural integrity of the home due to the extensive damage. After the attack, Pierwsza allegedly stopped, ran inside to grab a duffle bag, and fled to another town, where he was arrested later that day.
Neighbors expressed shock at the event. One neighbor, who had hunted with Pierwsza, described him as an avid outdoorsman and said he was stunned by the charges. Another neighbor remarked, “Forty-two years I've been married, but I've never threatened to tear the house down.”
Pierwsza is being held at Butler County Prison on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 9.
