Man Demolishes Home with Excavator During Marital Dispute

A Pennsylvania man turned a marital row into a scene of destruction after threatening to demolish his family home and then carrying out the threat with an excavator while his wife and daughters were still inside.

48-year-old Eric Pierwsza tore into the rear section of his Butler County home following an argument with his wife after a night of drinking. The damage was so severe that investigators believe the whole house may no longer be safe or structurally sound.

The confrontation began when Pierwsza's wife told him their marriage was over, according to CBS Pittsburgh. In response, he warned her: “If it’s over, I’ll tear the house down.”

Police say he then climbed into an excavator and began ripping through parts of the property. His wife and the couple's two daughters were inside the home as the machine smashed into the building. During a 911 call, the sound of the excavator crashing through walls could be heard in the background.

After the destruction stopped, Pierwsza went back into the house, collected a gym bag and left the area. Police later tracked him down and took him into custody.

He has since been charged with causing a catastrophe, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, among other offences.

Pierwsza's wife planned to seek a protection-from-abuse order following the incident.

The case has left neighbours stunned, with many struggling to understand how an argument escalated into the partial demolition of a family home.

“I’d like to know what she said to him because I’ll make sure I don’t say it,” one neighbour told CBS News. He added: “Forty-two years I’ve been married, but I’ve never threatened to tear the house down.”

Pierwsza is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on June 9.