Three Pedestrians Dead after Church Parking Lot Accident
An elderly driver struck seven pedestrians as she left church Sunday, leaving three dead and the other four in serious condition.
About the Fatal Parking Lot Accident
According to CNN, 79-year-old Doreen Landstra was attempting to back out of a parking space at her community church in East Bradenton, Florida when she lost control of her vehicle and hit a group of pedestrians.
It appears that Landstra believed her Chevrolet SUV was in drive when she had instead shifted it into reverse. The vehicle accelerated into the pedestrians, went over a curb and finally came to rest in a creek.
Johanna Dijkhoft, 80, Wilhemina Paul, 70, and Margaret Vanderlaan, 72, all died of their injuries either at the scene or shortly after arriving to the hospital. Four others are reported to be in serious condition, though authorities have not released details on the extent of their injuries.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
- According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4,280 people were killed in pedestrian accidents in 2010.
- Additionally, 70,000 pedestrian were injured – roughly on every 8 minutes.
- Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car crash on each trip than passenger vehicle occupants.
- Pedestrians over the age of 65 account for 11 percent of all pedestrian injuries and nearly 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths.
Contact an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney
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