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Driver goes 3 miles with lodged body
www.stpetersburgtimes.com ^ | October 20, 2005 | Graham Brink

Posted on 10/21/2005 5:27:35 AM PDT by Millicent_Hornswaggle

ST. PETERSBURG - A 93-year-old motorist struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday evening, then drove about 3 miles with the body lodged in the windshield until he was stopped at a Sunshine Skyway tollbooth.

The driver told officers he thought the body had fallen from the sky, said St. Petersburg police Officer Mike Jockers.

"He had no idea he had been involved in an accident," Jockers said. "He doesn't totally understand what happened."

The crash occurred about 8:30 p.m. when the 52-year-old pedestrian attempted to cross 34th Street S from east to west near 46th Avenue S, witnesses told police.

The pedestrian made it across two of the southbound lanes before he was hit by a 2002 Chevy Malibu, which was traveling about 45 mph, police said.

The impact severed the pedestrian's lower right leg, which remained in the street. His head and arms went through the windshield, while the rest of his body flipped up onto the roof of the car, Jockers said.

"The driver continued southbound, as the eyewitness said, like nothing happened," Jockers said.

As the car approached the toll plaza, the toll taker thought it was a prank, until he saw the blood.

When the driver stopped, the body fell into the car, Jockers said.

A veteran traffic investigator, Jockers said it was one of the most gruesome scenes he has worked.

Neither the name of the driver nor the name of the victim was released Wednesday.

The victim had been living in a motel on 34th Street S. Friends said he had been trying to get to McDonald's for a bite to eat, Jockers said.

The driver, who lives in Pinellas Park, told police that he was headed home. Pinellas Park, however, is miles in the opposite direction.

"Obviously, he was confused," Jockers said. "Incredibly confused."

The driver was taken to Bayfront Medical Center for evaluation.

He will probably not face criminal charges, as he appeared unaware that he had been involved in an accident, Jockers said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: elderlydriver
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Comment #41 Removed by Moderator

To: Katya

I doubt there are any 90 year olds who should be driving. But you're right, there are people of all ages who shouldn't be driving.


42 posted on 10/21/2005 7:29:15 AM PDT by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852
I live in northern Michigan where most retirees go to Florida for the fall and winter (i believe its the law). We can always tell when they return in the spring by the way they drive; creating lanes where there are none, driving through store windows, parallel parking when they should be angle parking, etc. And i have been to the Tampa area during the winter to visit the folks. Talk about taking your life in your hands! And for some reason they all drive huge cars. Between hurricanes and the elderly, I wouldn't live in Florida for nothing.
43 posted on 10/21/2005 7:33:00 AM PDT by bella1
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To: mariabush

I do! Wisconsin does eye tests!


44 posted on 10/21/2005 8:10:47 AM PDT by knittnmom (...surrounded by reality)
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To: Chanticleer
I should have specif iced license renewal.
45 posted on 10/21/2005 8:46:35 AM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, Over there, we will be there until it is Over there.")
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To: mariabush
Florida -- Effective January 1, 2004, all drivers who are 80 years of age or older must pass a vision test before renewing their driver license.

I'm not sure how long a renewal lasts.

46 posted on 10/21/2005 9:44:28 AM PDT by Chanticleer (Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. Lewis)
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To: mariabush

Well you obviously haven't been to CA because we still do eye exams in this state and test people over certain age more frequently than younger people. We also pull lincense of older people, people in their 80s for instance, that have more than 3 accidents in a certain time frame.


47 posted on 10/21/2005 10:07:32 AM PDT by calex59
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To: calex59
Glad to hear that you all still give eye exams with every renewal. In Tenn all that you have to do is mail in your money every 4 or 5 years. You can imagine the bad drivers and high insurance.
48 posted on 10/21/2005 11:28:46 AM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, Over there, we will be there until it is Over there.")
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To: Chanticleer

Good deal!!!!!


49 posted on 10/21/2005 11:29:43 AM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, Over there, we will be there until it is Over there.")
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To: poobear
note to self:when running your wife over, claim dementia as defense.
50 posted on 10/21/2005 11:39:47 AM PDT by Rakkasan1 (Peace de Resistance! Viva la Paper towels!)
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To: mlc9852
Ninety-three year olds should not be driving.

True. He should be living with his children. But, since the "Greatest Generation," we've' been abandoning our elderly to themselves and the state.

51 posted on 10/21/2005 11:44:21 AM PDT by TopQuark
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To: Millicent_Hornswaggle

Didn't I see this on an episode of "Seinfeld"? Lloyd Bridges?


52 posted on 10/21/2005 11:49:14 AM PDT by ozzymandus
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To: Rakkasan1

;D! A very wise note to self.


53 posted on 10/21/2005 12:25:15 PM PDT by poobear (Imagine a world of liberal silence!)
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To: mlc9852

"...and there are a lot more Boomers that won't want to give up driving when they should."

This Boomer is 46 and I still have all my teeth. I'm sure I'm good for another couple of years before Gen X puts me out to pasture. Geez!


54 posted on 10/21/2005 12:31:35 PM PDT by poobear (Imagine a world of liberal silence!)
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To: Millicent_Hornswaggle

Cleanup on Aisle ^H^H^H^H Lane Six.


55 posted on 10/21/2005 6:38:43 PM PDT by festus (The constitution may be flawed but its a whole lot better than what we have now.)
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To: mariabush
Michigan does . Every renewal if you renew in person, every other if you renew by mail(can only renew by mail once before having to come in, take written test and eye test again)

CC

56 posted on 10/25/2005 7:54:44 AM PDT by Celtic Conservative (Billy Tauzin about Louisiana: "half the state is under water, the other half is under indictment")
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