Elderly California driver causes severe car accident
In our last post we discussed a deadly Walnut Creek pedestrian accident which killed a woman and left her daughter-in-law in critical condition. This is one of many recent serious car accidents to occur in California. Possibly the most high profile of these crashes was a recent Los Angeles pedestrian accident which injured almost a dozen people, including several children.
The crash happened when a 100-year-old man backed onto a sidewalk in front of an elementary school just as classes let out. The elderly driver said that his brakes failed, causing the accident which trapped several children under his blue Cadillac.
"You know I'm sorry about that," the man said. "I wouldn't do that for nothing on earth. My sympathies for them."
Authorities say that the man attempted to back out into the street but instead went onto the sidewalk, hitting the children who were lined up in front of a food vendor.
The Associated Press reports that California does not place restrictions on older drivers, but drivers over 70 must renew their license in person. Elderly drivers can also be made to take supplemental driving tests if there are concerns raised regarding their fitness to safely drive.
The driver involved in this crash turned 101 last week.
Source: Fox News, "Driver, 100, crashes into 11 people near Los Angeles school," Aug. 29, 2012
