Excavator Gives Couple Rude Awakening

A Shasta County couple had a rude awakening Thursday when a commercial excavator ran over their pickup and trailer and knocked down a carport attached to their home. The driver then used the excavator to drive over a 20-by-30 foot workshop containing several motorcycles. 27-year-old Jerry Whipp and his girlfriend say they couldn´t see who was driving the rented excavator, which was later found abandoned a half mile from the home. Sheriff´s officials are investigating. Damage was estimated at 100-thousand dollars.