Posted on 07/08/2006 9:33:11 PM PDT by nutmeg
Driver: Gas Pedal Got Stuck
NEW LONDON, Conn. -- More than two dozen people were injured -- two of them seriously -- when a station wagon plowed through a crowd of people in New London during the annual Sailfest Saturday afternoon.
Twenty-seven people were injured and were taken to Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, officials said.
The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. near the Amtrak station.
Officials said the driver -- identified as Robert Laine, 89, of Wallingford -- was heading across the train tracks toward to the Fishers Island ferry when the car struck a pedestrian and lurched forward into the crowd.
Laine was not injured. There was also a female passenger in the car. She was not injured either.
Laine told witnesses the gas pedal stuck. Police said it is too premature to pinpoint a cause. They said the investigation is continuing.
Hospital spokesman Kelly Anthony said most of those hurt susffered cuts and bruises and were treated and released. The two most seriously injured, whose names have not been released, were still being evaluated Saturday night.
The waterfront city was holding its annual Sailfest, which brings thousands of visitors to the downtown area. About 200,000 are expected for the fireworks show Saturday night over the Thames River.
We'll all be driving our Rascals recklessly.
Do not get me wrong: I don't have a problem with taking an unsafe driver's license away.
At any age.
But when the government taketh away, they really ought to have a plan in place to help folks who have no other way of getting around.
How about, people ought to have a plan in place? Personal responsibility, not governmental.
Good point.
Totally agree. No way should 85 and olders be driving!
I had to look that one up. You must be a shrink.
I had to look that one up. You must be a shrink.
Hahhaa, No, I am a real person, not pathologically attracted to a field wherein people pay me to resolve my own kinks.
I do like Bach, though....
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