A 78-year-old woman thought she parked her car outside of a fabric store in Mesa this week, intending to get outside to shop, but instead she continued driving into the store front and crashed through the building. Four people, including one employee, were in the area of a cash register when the car barreled towards them and hit all of them around 10:30 a.m.All four people who were hit were injured and one of the victims, an 89-year-old woman, sustained life-threatening injuries and required surgery. It is not clear if that victim will survive.
The driver of the SUV appears to have jumped a curb separating parking from the store itself and entered the building near the area of the front doors. Instead of stopping immediately, the car continued to travel a significant distance within the store, knocking over shelves and causing a path of destruction.
The incident occurred on East Main Street and at this time, officials do not believe the driver was impaired at the time of the crash. It is not clear why the driver failed to place her car in park or why she continued to travel so far into the store itself before stopping.
Officials have not yet issued any citations to the driver pending an investigation but it is still possible that the driver will be cited. The violations may change if any of the victims do not survive their injuries but police officers have stated that they are not pursuing a criminal investigation in this matter, believing that no crime occurred.
Though police have stated that no crime occurred, that does not mean that the elderly driver is not at-fault for the injuries and the damage she caused. Besides criminal charges, the driver may face traffic violations or civil claims for the destruction she caused.
More than two million Americans seek medical treatment every year for injuries they sustained in car accidents, and like in this case, some of those injured are pedestrians. When a car hits a pedestrian, the injuries are often severe or even deadly due to the large and heavy nature of a car compared to an unprotected pedestrian. Many pedestrians who survive an accident with a car are forced to suffer from their injuries for the rest of their lives.
If you have been injured by the negligence of the driver of a car, truck, or SUV, you may have a claim for your damages, including your medical bills. The Phoenix car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are experienced trial attorneys who only represent the injured and who go after negligent drivers for the injuries they cause. We offer a free, no obligation telephone conversation and we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call. If you have been injured in a car accident, please call us today at (602) 819-5191 or toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER.
Prior Blog Entries:
Phoenix Police Officer Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 22, 2013.
Second Child in Two Months Drowns in Valley Pool Accessed by Doggie Door, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 17, 2013.
Resources:
Mesa Woman, 78, Drives Into Fabric Store, Runs Over Four People, by Matthew Hendley, Phoenix NewTimes, published May 22, 2013.