Drivers Tear Through Local Church's Property

A church along Oak Hill Road in Evansville speaks out, after several cars decide to cut through their lawn to avoid construction. The damage leaves deep ruts in the ground, and is causing the church to lose their patience. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church says they have reached out to police and the Oak Hill Neighborhood Association for help.

Moving to the Tristate to be the new Pastor at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Evansville, Pastor Rebecca Grate, already faces a bump on and off the road. "They don't teach you what to do in your very first perish, about what to do when people drive through your yard," says Grate.

For about a year, Oak Hill Road, in Evansville has been under construction. In March, workers blocked off access from the road in front of the church, to Lynch road. The church says people are avoiding the nearby detour, and making their own path by cutting right through the church's property. It's putting their new pastor in a rut. "It's been this winding road to find out the proper way to deal with things, and wanting to be nice because we are a church, but we've had ground damage. We actually need to do something about this," says Grate.

"It's very rude, and frankly, we thought the behavior was just incredible," says church member Sharon Wilson. She shows us the damage. Wilson says one driver got stuck, and asked for the church to help him out. "Be respectful of others property, and not to be arrogant to think your the only one who's time and effort means anything." Wilson says some even try to go around the back of the building. "Inconvenience is one thing, because you know the project will end, but when it's destruction of your personal property, or could injure the people on your property, that's a different story."

The church has received help. The construction company for Oak Hill Road laid down telephone poles as barriers, and have used their equipment to block traffic. The church still asks drivers not make their yard, your highway. "You are all welcome to come here and join our activities, but we would really like it if you would not drive on our grass."

The church hopes this is the last of the damage. They have decided to wait until construction wraps up to see how much the damage will cost to repair.

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Drivers Tear Through Local Church's Property