Centenarian Driver Injures 9 Children in Los Angeles
Los Angeles authorities investigated the crash scene where Preston Carter, a 100-year-old man hit nine school children and left four in critical condition when his brakes allegedly gave out Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters responded to the crash and were able to lower the level of injury of those children from critical condition to serious condition. Hospitalization in such situations is not rare. If the children have insurance they should contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer first.
Capt. Jaime Moore for the city fire department said that while injuries were sever, “everyone is expected to survive.”
Behind a grocery store across from Main Street Elementary, a concoction of backpacks, shoes, school supplies, candies and coins carpeted the area where the accident happened. It would be clear that those students would not need their supplies for the following school days even though they had just returned from summer vacation.
According to authorities, Carter was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and was working with the police to give his account of what had happened.
On camera in front of a multitude of television reporters about five miles south of downtown Los Angeles he gave his account as well, stating “my brakes failed. It was out of control”.
Police Capt. George Rodriguez stated that Carter was pulling out of the grocery store parking lot and allegedly, rather than pulling out towards the street, a major misjudgment caused Carter to instead back up onto the sidewalk. Rodriguez said that the accident was miscalculation on Carters’ part from impairment.
Carter felt remorse for hitting the children. “You know I’m sorry about that. I wouldn’t do that for nothing on earth. My sympathies for them,” Carter said. On September 5th, Carter will be 101 years old and as of now this was the first blemish on his DMV record in years.
Carter was not arrested. He has a valid California Driver’s License.
California Department of Motor Vehicles states that people over the age of 70 are required to renew their drivers’ license in person. Motorists under 70 can renew via internet or through mail. If an elderly person is applying for an in-person renewal they may be required to take a supplemental driving test. This may also happen if they fail a vision exam, or a police officer, physician, or family member raises questions on the elderly persons’ ability to drive.
The current condition of the children has not been reported. The accident remains under investigation.