Saw my life flash before my eyes!
#1
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Saw my life flash before my eyes!
Three years ago in Santa Monica CA, an elderly man drove his car through a street fair killing 10 people. Since that time most street fairs in Southern California have taken measures to make sure that nothing like this will happen again.
My wife Christy and I participate in Craft Fairs throughout Southern California. We are stained glass artisans.
We were setting up at the Fullerton Farmer'* market last Thursday afternoon when another elderly man (79) lost control of his Dodge Caravan and plowed through the canopies. He crashed through the barriers on the east end of the street and hit an organic farmers booth and when he passed us 50 yards later was traveling at about 60 MPH. He then proceeded to hit a city van (spinning it 180 degrees) and they only stopped because he crashed into a cement light pole.
Thankfully the street was almost complete deserted except for vendors! No one was hit by his car!
Both airbags were deployed and he was not injured. The police arrived and had him taken away by paramedics to the hospital for observations. He later said that he remembers nothing of the incident.
We were very fortunate in that if he had driven through the market place at say, 6:30 PM, he would have killed alot of people.
In later articles in the Orange County Register, it was stated that no charges will be filed by the city. It went on to say that undisclosed medical reasons was the reason for this decision.
It also went on to say that the Department of Motor Vehicles would evaluate his fitness to continue to drive. (you think?)
We just all sat around for about an hour and tried to calm down and counted our blessing that no one was killed or injured.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/king-...arket-spinning
My wife Christy and I participate in Craft Fairs throughout Southern California. We are stained glass artisans.
We were setting up at the Fullerton Farmer'* market last Thursday afternoon when another elderly man (79) lost control of his Dodge Caravan and plowed through the canopies. He crashed through the barriers on the east end of the street and hit an organic farmers booth and when he passed us 50 yards later was traveling at about 60 MPH. He then proceeded to hit a city van (spinning it 180 degrees) and they only stopped because he crashed into a cement light pole.
Thankfully the street was almost complete deserted except for vendors! No one was hit by his car!
Both airbags were deployed and he was not injured. The police arrived and had him taken away by paramedics to the hospital for observations. He later said that he remembers nothing of the incident.
We were very fortunate in that if he had driven through the market place at say, 6:30 PM, he would have killed alot of people.
In later articles in the Orange County Register, it was stated that no charges will be filed by the city. It went on to say that undisclosed medical reasons was the reason for this decision.
It also went on to say that the Department of Motor Vehicles would evaluate his fitness to continue to drive. (you think?)
We just all sat around for about an hour and tried to calm down and counted our blessing that no one was killed or injured.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/king-...arket-spinning
#6
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Location: _Phoenix, AZ_ _WCBF '05, '06, '07 Survivor_ ____NEBF '07 Remnant___
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I remember the news story about the guy in Santa Monica. I bet you were pretty shaken when this most recent event happened at your craft fair. Glad to hear your okay.
#7
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Glad to hear everyone is alright.
Definitely agree about re testing for Seniors, but also if this is a medcial condition, it could possibly not be age related. May very well be due to age, too. I think when people are diagnosed with certain medical conditions they should be re-evaluated, regardless og age, and need Doctor'* and DMV clearance for their driving priviledges.
I know this is done with people with siezures, but should be applied to any relevant medical condition.
Also, if one is caught driving with a medical condition that could endanger others, that should be a punishable act, if they knew of the condition before getting behind the wheel.
Definitely agree about re testing for Seniors, but also if this is a medcial condition, it could possibly not be age related. May very well be due to age, too. I think when people are diagnosed with certain medical conditions they should be re-evaluated, regardless og age, and need Doctor'* and DMV clearance for their driving priviledges.
I know this is done with people with siezures, but should be applied to any relevant medical condition.
Also, if one is caught driving with a medical condition that could endanger others, that should be a punishable act, if they knew of the condition before getting behind the wheel.
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