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.
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.
I do! Wisconsin does eye tests!
I'm not sure how long a renewal lasts.
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.
Good deal!!!!!
True. He should be living with his children. But, since the "Greatest Generation," we've' been abandoning our elderly to themselves and the state.
Didn't I see this on an episode of "Seinfeld"? Lloyd Bridges?
;D! A very wise note to self.
"...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!
Cleanup on Aisle ^H^H^H^H Lane Six.
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