Authorities Search Driver's Home In Fatal Farmers' Market Crash

KNBC Chanel 4 Website ^ | 9:29 a.m. PDT July 17, 2003 | KNBC Chanel 4

[Smogger]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Authorities in Santa Monica searched the home of 86-year-old Russell Weller Thursday. Police say the elderly driver plowed through an open-air market Wednesday, leaving nine people dead and more than 40 hurt.

Santa Monica Police Chief James Butts said evidence shows Weller recently struck the back of his garage at least twice with his car.

Authorities are investigating why Weller's car plowed through the crowded farmers market, killing nine and injuring up to 45 others -- and whether the driver was competent to be behind the wheel in the first place.

Police said Russell Weller told them he may have hit the gas pedal instead of the brake Wednesday, hurling victims into the air as his car careened down a street closed to traffic.

"Mr. Weller and his family want to express their deepest sympathies to the victims and their families of the tragic accident earlier today," Weller family attorney Jim Bianco said in a statement Wednesday. "This was an unintentional and unfortunate accident."

Eight victims were pronounced dead at the scene and a ninth, a 50-year-old man, died later at a St. John's Hospital, spokeswoman Barbara Bishop said. Fourteen others were critically injured.

Weller was not arrested, but authorities were considering whether the case was "manslaughter of some type" and investigating whether he was qualified to drive, said Police Chief James T. Butts Jr.

"There may be some negligence as to his capacity to drive safely," Butts said, although he added that Weller, of Santa Monica, has a valid driver's license.

[Blood of Tyrants]

But on what grounds is this old codgers house being searched? What the hell were they hoping to find?

It is obvious that he had absolutely no business behind the wheel but he wasn't on any drugs (as evidenced by a blood test) and this search was unwarranted.

[Sabertooth]

She lost her keys just the other week on the way from her front door her car, a route she needs a wheel chair for. I had to go there and help her and her neighbors look for them and finally give her my copy of her keys. A couple of hours later she discovered them in he pockets.

Why do you continue to allow her to drive?

If she'd killed someone that day you gave her the keys, would your conscience be clear?

For the record, I'm in favor of testing seniors, and getting handicapped seniors, as well as most other handicapped, off the road altogether.

[phreebass]

> the decision not to drive will be the beginning of your confinement

You are probably right about that... but it shouldn't be your decision to make if you are danger to others. Some elderly people dont want to give up certain lifestyles that they have enjoyed most of their lives.. namely driving themselves everywhere.. and so they continue driving even after it is apparent that it is no longer safe to do so. Then again... sometimes it is apparent to everybody but the elderly driver that this is the case.

[Blood of Tyrants]

There are those (myself among them) that believe that driving is a right. If it is a privelege, the government could suddenly declare that all licenses are void and prohibit driving. Or just as bad, randomly revoke your ability to drive based on politics.

As long as you are competent, physically able, and not a danger to the general public, ANYONE should be allowed to drive.

[spunkets]

The man's testomony to the police and his actions gave the police and the judge the probable cause to search for evidence that he had prior knowledge of his diminished capacity to drive. It's not unreasonable that the house would contain something like that. Also, someone must have testified to them that he wacked the garage wall a few times. Neighbors?

His failure to take appropriate action led to this incident.

[Joe Hadenuf]

But on what grounds is this old codgers house being searched? What the hell were they hoping to find?

The investigators want to avoid any criticism in this case. It was a very serious accident and they want to check everything, and avoid any finger pointing at a later date.

It is obvious that he had absolutely no business behind the wheel but he wasn't on any drugs (as evidenced by a blood test) and this search was unwarranted.

Not altogether true, as 30 year olds can have brutal accidents, and it happens all the time.

Oh, and I am confident that he gave them his permission search his home.

[Quilla]

Several years ago, on my way to a horse show, we were driving along a two lane rural highway. Our truck and horse trailor topped a hill and we saw a car stopped in our lane several hundred yards ahead of us. There were no cross streets or driveways anywhere in sight. Because of oncoming traffic passing wasn't an option, so our driver basically slammed on brakes. We bumped the car. Apparently the elderly lady driving was watching this in her rearview mirror and about the time of impact (literally, a bump) she gassed it. She sped off the road, through a fence, over terraces and across pastures for over a mile. You could see air between her tires and the ground on several occasions. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it was certainly a strange thing to witness.

[inquest]

Authorities Search Driver's Home In Fatal Farmers' Market Crash

We gotta do something about this guy before he causes a stock market crash!

[saminfl]

I think they ought to implement a mandatory driver's test for anyone over 70 years old...there are just way too many people out there who's mental and physical capabilities put others at risk. Driving is a priviledge, NOT a right!

Roger Hedgecock just said most accidents involve young men up to the age of 28 I think. Should they be given mandatory testing also?

[Joe Hadenuf]

For the record, I'm in favor of testing seniors,

Agree, one or twice every two years.......

[VeritatisSplendor]

I saw an elderly driver turn left into oncoming traffic (me and my baby) when he missed going around the dividing island. I stopped to let him turn around which took a 9 point turn on a two lane road. He looked tense and confused. I figured he had to be a local man doing his shopping and called the police with his license number, and asked them to please talk to him or his family - they said they could not.

And then there was the elderly couple in the mall who stopped me in the parking lot and asked me if I could drive them the rest of the way to their car - the husband was near collapse. The husband could not walk; the wife could not drive.I asked them if I could call family, a doctor, an ambulance, a neighbor - no. They said he would recover if he could sit in his car a while - he had these spells when he walked. I guess maybe I should have called the police - but getting old and feeble stinks.

Mrs VS

[Blood of Tyrants]

"c" was the most likely answer. If the old guy had had a gun, I'll bet dollars to dog dirt that the police would have taken it and told the media who would have dutifully told about how the wonderful police had disarmed the "dangerous old man".

[Poohbah]

There are those (myself among them) that believe that driving is a right.

The Supreme Court has long since ruled against you.

If it is a privelege, the government could suddenly declare that all licenses are void and prohibit driving.

And they can.

Bottom line: operating a multi-ton high-speed piece of metal with 10 gallons of an extremely volatile petrochemical compound to fuel it is a privelege, with damn good reason.

[Smogger]

I would point out that many times more drivers are killed by teenagers than the elderly.

Yeah and they are prosocuted to the fullest extent of the law too. The AARPers on here would be screaming for the perpetrator to be tried as an adult if he was only 17 and had run down a bunch of old people.

[DJ MacWoW]

I agree to a point. But it's not the same as a DUI. And it was not his intention to kill. The problem is, what family member is going to take gramps where he has to go? So many ignore their older relatives and let them fend for themselves. My sister sold my mothers car and got her off the road. An uncle took Hubbys grandmothers car away. But both these ladies had family willing to ferry them anywhere. The loss of a car is often a death knell as it becomes the loss of freedom and they have to beg to go where they need to go. Any time my family looses patience with an older relative, I remind them that one day they'll be that older relative. How will you want to be treated? Yes, this man killed people but do you know his circumstances? I think compassion is needed for everyone involved. If you don't, go to an old folks home and visit the forgotten.

[ChefKeith]

A badge and gun

[TexasGunLover]

Your world will become severely limited unless you have cab fare after your paltry Social Security check is depleted just for mere living expenses.

Uh, I'd have plenty of money if we got rid of Social Security and let me invest my own money.

[Poohbah]

Roger Hedgecock just said most accidents involve young men up to the age of 28 I think. Should they be given mandatory testing also?

Not a bad idea.

Bottom line: testing at the younger ages helps instill safe driving habits and gets the yahoos off of the road.

Testing at the older ages identifies those who are becoming a danger to others due to physical/mental deterioration.

I hope that either I will recognize that I am becoming a danger to others on the road, or that my daughter will take the keys away from me when I become too infirm in mind or body to safely handle a car. And I also hope that I will be mature and sensible about it.

I would hate to have something like yesterday's catastrophe on my conscience.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Not everyone hates law enforcement.

But smart, freedom loving people guard their freedoms jealously and have a healthy suspicion of any goverment LEO. Especially an LEO looking to gather evidence that THEY WILL USE AGAINST YOU. Believe me, the police were not their on a social call or just to check up and make sure the old guy was okay.

[phreebass]

> Not altogether true, as 30 year olds can have brutal accidents, and it happens all the time.

Uhhh... actually, somebody mowing down an ENTIRE FARMER'S MARKET, killing at least 9 people, leaving another 13 critically injured, and dozens more injured DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. In retrospect the guy had no business behind the wheel anyway you slice it up... had he been competent enough to drive safely then we wouldn't have at least 9 people on a slab with toe tags with unfortunately more to follow.

Accidents happen all the time... sometimes they are brutal, yes. But the scope and magnitude of this accident makes them pale in comparison.