Posted on 05/07/2005 2:26:04 PM PDT by MisterRepublican
TAMPA - Brenda Lee Brown's Nissan Pathfinder Armada rolled off the line at Town 'N Country Carwash shortly after 3 p.m. Friday and attendants wiped it dry.
She was waiting under the car wash gazebo with her 6-month-old son. Seeing it was ready, she wheeled her son's stroller out, expecting to load up and be on her way.
Just then, an attendant was driving a 2003 Isuzu Rodeo off the car wash's conveyer belt. Suddenly it surged forward, smashing into Brown. Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said the impact sent her flying onto the Rodeo's hood.
Witnesses say she fell to the ground and the Isuzu barreled across Hillsborough Avenue, but amazingly it did not strike any vehicles or other pedestrians before it could be brought to a stop. Brown's son was unharmed, deputies said.
Brown, 43, of 11617 Renaissance View Court was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, and was reported in critical condition Friday night.
So far, deputies have few answers. They could not say what caused the vehicle to accelerate or how fast it was going when it struck Brown.
Friday afternoon, investigators questioned four witnesses who saw the incident. They also interviewed Densil Blake, 50, who was at the wheel of the car when it struck Brown. Blake has worked at the car wash for more than a year, deputies said.
"According to the manager, he's a very good employee," Cpl. Donald Morris said. "He's clearly distraught over the issue. You have to remember it's a 4,000-pound vehicle striking a human being."
Morris said it was too early to determine whether Blake, of 6202 N Sheldon Road, would face charges.
(Excerpt) Read more at sptimes.com ...
Oh No. The SUV's are at it again!
Why are their home addresses published?
Sounds like that SUV was obsessed.
Whoa, you mean there was an actual driver?
Facinating.
A very good question. Around here they send us notification whenever a Level 2 Sex offender moves into the neighborhood, but they don't reveal their address.
"Deputies don't yet know what caused the Isuzu Rodeo to accelerate and strike a mother pushing her infant in a stroller."
Uhhh, how about the friggin' driver, you dumbasses!!! I'd hate to be a resident of St. Petersburg with these brain surgeons supposedly protecting and serving me....
SUVs can be quite territorial; especially breeds from different manufacturers. It's worse during the SUV breeding season.
This is tragic. I hope she has a full recovery.
When I read the headline I assumes they were fighting over a man. Those SUV's can be little flirts when they wanna be.
Bound to be a bunch of Liberals.
That's an old newspaper tradition which has gone by the wayside most everywhere except -- apparently -- St. Petersburg.
First off, she didn't stay where she should have stayed until the attendant told her that her car was ready for her.
Second, the man at the wheel of the second SUV that hit the woman probably hit the gas instead of the brake when he saw her walking across his path. He probably put both feet up to hit the brake and one foot slipped and hit the accelerater. Then in the panic, he couldn't locate the brake pedal. OR he may have put the car on Cruise Control. CC will make a vehicle surge.
At any rate, I hope the woman lives through this, she's got a baby to raise. And I hope the Car Wash puts up LARGE SIGNS telling patrons to STAY IN DESIGNATED AREA until attendant tells you your car is ready.
This is an accident that was preventable with just a little more education and some "what if" common sense.
Prayers for Mom and Baby (and where is Dad?).
It seems pretty obvious that the driver thought he was stepping on the brakes but pushed down on the gas pedal instead.
Or jab?
Maybe it's for people who want revenge.
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