Woman hit by flying nail from construction site while in her backyard

(5/09/06 - KTRK/DICKINSON, TX) (KTRK) -- Flying debris from a construction site has left some Dickinson residents feeling like prisoners in their own homes. Those residents say it's more than just a nuisance, it's a safety hazard.

The Williams have what most people would describe as the perfect backyard. It's fenced in, landscaped, and there's even an in ground pool. It's a great way to spend a beautiful spring day. But the Williams say they wouldn't even dare. They claim it's just too dangerous.

Progress in Dickinson is sometimes noisy. But it's not the noise from a construction site that nearby residents are concerned about.

Homeowner Deanna Williams explained, "I was sitting (on the patio) and I felt a ping on my leg. I looked down, and this nail hit me from the construction site across the way."

That site is some 200 feet away.

"I was like, I need to get my kids inside," Deanna recalled. "This is too dangerous to be out here."

It wouldn't be the family's last encounter either.

Deanna's husband Chad stumbled upon another nail. This one was rusty. He found it on the patio just this weekend while cutting the grass in the backyard.

Deanna says she called the builder, Lennar Homes, to complain -- twice. She admits Lennar was receptive at first, but by the second call things had changed.

"His attitude was more like, he didn't care, saying, 'Well, they'll only be there for two more weeks. Hang on a little bit,'" Deanna said. "I shouldn't have to."

Meantime, her two young kids are staying indoors, even though they'd rather be having fun outdoors. The Williams insist it's just too risky.

Chad explained, "We just want to get the word out, 'cause we don't want any other family or community to have to endure this. We pay to live here, you know, we should be able to enjoy our backyard without having to worry about jeopardizing our children's lives."

Our attempts to contact someone from Lennar Homes were unsuccessful. We left messages but no one has yet returned our calls.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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