Elderly Driver Sends Parked Car into Home
Rescue workers extricated a 94-year-old driver from his car after he struck a car parked in a driveway on Willopenn Drive with such force, it bounced off of the house before coming to rest approximately 40 feet from where it was originally parked.
Photos
Robert Sly said he was standing in the breezeway of his home on Willopenn Drive when he heard a rumbling noise around 1 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.
"I looked out the window from across the room to see what it was, and saw what looked like dust," he said. "Next thing I know, everything in the room was flying past me. It was like something out of the movies."
When the dust settled, Sly went outside. He said could not believe what he saw.
His car, originally parked in the driveway, was now some 40 feet away on the lawn, his house was smashed and a car had crashed head-on into his tree.
Phillyburbs.com reports that the driver, 94-year-old Stanley Stevens, was driving an unregistered car on a suspended license when he lost control, traveled 200 feet across a neighbor's lawn and slammed into Sly's parked car.
They also report that this is Stevens's second accident in just one week; his car was impounded following the previous incident, when he collided with a car on Windsor Avenue and left the scene on April 5.
Neither Sly nor his wife, who was also home at the time of the incident, sustained any injuries.
Stevens was taken to Abington Memorial Hospital. His condition could not be confirmed at the time of this report.
Update: Stevens has died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
James Boyle
9:24 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Judging from the pictures, the homeowner was lucky to avoid a serious injury.
Jenna Ekdahl
9:51 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
To add some perspective, this house is in my neighborhood and there is a curve just up the road from where the man was traveling. I have no idea how he picked up enough speed to cause the wreckage he did, but it's remarkable how much damage was done. Does anyone think people drive too fast in their neighborhood?
Heather Milano
11:16 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Absolutely, Jenna! My street is a speedway and the new "slow" signs haven't been too effective. We had tried to petition for a stop sign a few years ago and were turned down. I guess we are still waiting for the tragedy to happen before they make a change.
Jesseka Kadylak
4:34 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
This 94-year-old gentleman was involved in two car accidents in one weeks time, according to the article. Does anyone think people older than a certain age should have to retake the driver's test to remain behind the wheel?
Tom Sofield
7:03 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
In my opinion, after a certain age (65 or 70?) all drivers should have to retake the driver's license test yearly.
Krby
9:31 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Yes I think there should be monitoring of all people. Every 20 years would be good because everybody's health and ability changes. Unfortunately, this gentleman had already had his license suspended and car impounded and that didn't stop him from getting behind the wheel. There will always be people who drive who shouldn't...even if you take their license away.
Christopher Kunkel
9:31 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wow! Unbelievable of the damage. I lived in that house for over 20 years and know exactly where he came from, where he must have hit and where that damage was done. Weird to see from another state but that man needs to be stopped from driving before someone seriously gets hurt or killed.
Mike
9:31 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
I realize it can be VERY traumatic for a person to lose his/her right to drive. But what about the right to as much safety as possible for others on the roads? When my grandfather was 81, I saw him driving up 2nd Street Pike....in the WRONG direction -- TWICE in a month's time. He REFUSED to give us his license. Many older people feel entitled to drive. This needs to STOP. Here's what I propose:
1. ALL drivers age 70 and over MUST, at their own expense (or through their insurance), have an ophthalmologist sign a form which will be mailed to the driver upon the first renewal of their driver's license once they reach or are over age 65. This form, developed by PennDOT, will require the signature of the driver's ophthalmologist stating it is in their professional opinion, that the person's eyesight is suitable for driving
2. Any driver age 70 or older, MAY be required to take an on-road driver's test. This would be done by computerized RANDOM selection with a minimum of 10% of all residents who have an active driver's license. Any driver who has a score below a set minimum, will lose their license within 30 days.
3. Any driver age 70 or over who is involved in an accident that is found to be caused by that driver and causes damage or injury must take an on-road driver's exam within 30 days of the accident.
4. Any driver age 70 or over who is involved in more than one accident within a 30-day period of time will lose their driving privileges immediately.
Mike
9:31 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
(Continued from above)....
Of course, AARP and other groups will throw a fit in lobbying to prevent such rules. But our representatives MUST back them.
If I'm driving and get behind a vehicle driving 20 - 25 mph in a 45 mph zone, provided the driving conditions are not affected by weather, I'd say 80% of those I decide to pass appear to be well over 70 years of age. The other 20% is a mix of someone on a cell phone or a foreigner (no offense).
JCP
8:44 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
People do tend to get a little aggravated when driving behind a senior who isn't doing the speed limit. But after this accident, I feel maybe this IS the speed they should be traveling at. And maybe when we pass them, notice our own speed limit. Are we 10-15 over the limit, like they are under?? This man should not have been driving. I'd hate to think he caused all this damage and heartache for some stupid errand he felt he had to run....
Rob Sly
9:31 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
I am glad that everything damaged can be replaced, and no unsuspecting pedestrian were in the way... just sucks my only mode of transportation was just demolished!
Bob Pietrangelo
9:48 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
This has nothing to do with having a license or not. This guy had NO LICENCE, and was driving an unregistered vehicle. The question is will he get leniency for his illegal act because of his age. The week before it was a hit and run. If I did this I'd probably arrested and locked up!