Mechanical Failure Ruled Out In Farmers Market Crash (10 Killed 63 Injured)

KNBC Chanel 4 Website ^ | 11:50 a.m. PST December 4, 2003 | Channel 5

[Smogger]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- A preliminary California Highway Patrol report on the farmers market accident that killed 10 people says error by the elderly driver was the only possible cause, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The first extensive investigation into the July 16 crash rules out mechanical failures and says no objects pressed down on the accelerator as 86-year-old George Russell Weller steered his car straight through the market, said the Times, which obtained a copy of the CHP report.

CHP investigators said Weller had his "eyes open, hands on the steering wheel at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock position" and avoided hitting parked cars on either side of him as his Buick sedan leveled stands and hurled pedestrians into the air.

Weller had his driver's license suspended and his car impounded after the crash, but no charges have been filed against him.

Authorities said this week that they expect to announce whether charges will be filed by mid-December.

The CHP report was given to police and prosecutors. It has not been released to the public.

It states that Weller collided at low speed with a Mercedes-Benz at a traffic light away from the market, then drove past an orange sign indicating the road was closed ahead. Once in the crowded open-air market, he covered 995 feet at speeds up to 60 mph.

"During this 995 feet, 10 persons were killed and 63 injured. If Mr. Weller had placed his foot on the brake while traveling westbound on Arizona Avenue through the Farmers' Market street fair, the Buick would have stopped," the CHP report said.

Weller was taking prescription medication that causes nausea and dizziness, and may have pressed the gas instead of the brake because he had hip replacements that reduced his mobility, the report said, noting that there was no evidence Weller was unconscious or had a seizure.

The report said Weller's brakes were working properly.

Days after the crash, Weller issued a statement saying he was distraught and heartbroken, and his attorney called it an accident.

[Smogger]

"During this 995 feet, 10 persons were killed and 63 injured. If Mr. Weller had placed his foot on the brake while traveling westbound on Arizona Avenue through the Farmers' Market street fair, the Buick would have stopped," the CHP report said.

And while fleeing the scene of an accident... (a felony in California). The old man should fry just like any young kid or minority would.

[Smogger]

ping

[Senormechanico]

"Weller was taking prescription medication that causes nausea and dizziness,"

Isn't that DUI ??

Take the keys forever, lock him up forever for 10 counts of manslaughter and 63 counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

SM

[phreebass]

Weller was taking prescription medication that causes nausea and dizziness, and may have pressed the gas instead of the brake because he had hip replacements that reduced his mobility, the report said, noting that there was no evidence Weller was unconscious or had a seizure.

No friggin way to you accidently step on the gas instead of the brake for almost 1000 feet! Fleeing the scene of an accident, driving while under the influence of prescription medicine, 10 murders... what a sweet old man.

[Itzlzha]

And while fleeing the scene of an accident... (a felony in California). The old man should fry just like any young kid or minority would.

Seconded!

Let's make him the AARP Poster Child; that just because you are older, you are NOT entitled to more rights that the rest of us, and that they MUST re-certify their driving competence on an annual basis!

[LenS]

I doubt this has anything to do with competence. This pig ran over people on purpose. Why is irrelevant. Stick him on a gurney and stick a needle in him.

[diamondjoe]

I think that's too strong. I doubt he really meant to kill anyone--do you honestly think so? The truth is probably that he is an old man who should not be driving. In many driving situations, once something bad starts happening, drivers panic and lose all sense of reason. (Just as many experienced swimmers panic when trying to escape a rip current.) What this points to is much more need to certify that older drivers are competent (and medically qualified) to be on the road.

[BushMeister]

The only "accident" in this case seems to be the initial crash the old guy was involved in.

It appears that this oldster panicked after the collision and said to himself "I'm in trouble now!" , and decided to flee the scene. He then crashed into the crowd and said to himself "Now I'm REALLY in trouble!", and kept his foot on the gas.

He needs to be held accountable.

[Peace will be here soon]

No friggin way to you accidently step on the gas instead of the brake for almost 1000 feet!

---

Unfortunately , it happens all the time. Elderly people ( mostly ), in rare cases , will hit the gas instead of the brake and then just panic and push harder on the gas pedal thinking it is the brake pedal. I have witnessed this first hand. They just completely freeze up. And usually do not let off the gas until the car actually hits something to bring it to a stop. How many old folks have you heard of running through their garages , or store fronts? They always say " It was like the gas pedal was just stuck ". Yeah, stuck under their foot........

[phreebass]

Unfortunately , it happens all the time

What?!? Uhh... no it doesn't happen all the time.. not for 1,000 feet (i think it was 3 blocks... going 60 mph)... running into a garage or something, that's understandable.. but this guy mashed the gas for 1,000 feet.. AVOIDED parked cars... MAINTAINED control of the vehicle... and came to a controlled stop after he cleared the marketplace.

[Smogger]

Regardless. He was fleeing the scene of an accident, under the influence, and knew for a fact he shouldn't be driving. They had video of him ramming the same vehicle through a wall and into a friends backyard during a party he was invited to, and this we years earlier.

[Peace will be here soon]

AVOIDED parked cars... MAINTAINED control of the vehicle.

---

Huh? I think you may be embellishing it a bit there. He did kill and injured quite a few people. He did not have control of his vehicle.

[Senormechanico]

I just turned 58. When I went to the Dept of Licensing to renew, the guy asked me (for the first time ever) have you blacked out for more than 30 seconds in the last year?", and several similar questions. I haven't, but he took my word for it. Better than nothing I suppose, but I'd be all for at least biannual driver testing with written AND road testing after 50. AARP be damned!

SM

[Peace will be here soon]

Yes, the guy did not belong behind the wheel. And should pay for his actions. Unfortunately, the law does not protect us from morons like this until it is to late. Everyone should have to take a driving test ( physical and on paper ) every five years. This would weed out many of these idiots on the road. It always seems to be the AARP fighting this type of legislation.

[Smogger]

How do you figure. He drove straight down the middle of the street. Why not up the curb into a building thus sparing lives and dozens of injuries, or into a parked car? Because he was trying to get away that's why.

[phreebass]

Huh? I think you may be embellishing it a bit there. He did kill and injured quite a few people. He did not have control of his vehicle.

CHP investigators said Weller had his "eyes open, hands on the steering wheel at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock position" and avoided hitting parked cars on either side of him as his Buick sedan leveled stands and hurled pedestrians into the air.

According to the CHP he had enough control to avoid hitting parked cars.. i fail to see the embelishment. A lack of control would have resulted in crashing into the parked vans and or sidewalk

[Peace will be here soon]

Why not up the curb into a building thus sparing lives and dozens of injuries, or into a parked car? Because he was trying to get away that's why.

---

I did not know this was all proven. He actually admitted all this?

[wideminded]

I have witnessed this first hand. They just completely freeze up. And usually do not let off the gas until the car actually hits something to bring it to a stop.

I once saw a woman keep her foot on the gas after her car had already crashed into another car and was motionless, until someone opened her door and told her to take her foot off the gas.

[Peace will be here soon]

According to the CHP he had enough control to avoid hitting parked cars.. i fail to see the embelishment. A lack of control would have resulted in crashing into the parked vans and or sidewalk


I thought him hitting a car was what started this whole senario? This guy had a history of reckless driving from what I know. Do you believe he purposely mowed down all those people?

[dennisw]

I think that's too strong. I doubt he really meant to kill anyone--do you honestly think so? The truth is probably that he is an old man who should not be driving.

I need more facts on this guy's mental state but it seems to me he killed on purpose. I definitely don't consider it an accident with no blameworthy party. At minimum he is to blame for driving while being incompetent to drive. From prescription drugs and/or senility.