7-car smashup snarls Cannon St.Witness: 'Glass exploding all around' By Sophia Rodriguez (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ashley Garner Fire and rescue personnel work a seven-car crash scene Friday at Cannon and President streets in Charleston. 
The Post and Courier The white Toyota Avalon sped down Cannon Street on Friday afternoon, weaving in and out of traffic at an incredible speed. A dangerous speed for downtown Charleston. It sounded as though it was racing. As the car approached Ashley Avenue, its tires squealed before running into a gray Lincoln. The two cars spun around several times, hitting five cars that were parked along Cannon Street. Glass flew in every direction. That's what Sharon Hicks saw as she crossed Cannon Street at 4:30 p.m. "This little gray car ... once he hit him it looked like a sardine can," she said. "There was glass exploding all around me." The drivers from both the Avalon and the Lincoln were taken to Medical University Hospital, as were a passenger from each car, said Charles Francis, Charleston police public information officer. Police at the scene said there were no major injuries. Hicks, who had just left her office, ran to the Lincoln to check on the passengers inside and found the driver in the back seat because "there was no front seat." The top of the car had to be cut off by the Charleston Fire Department. Marvin Johnson heard the crash from his home on Islington Court, about a block from the accident. "It sounded like somebody crushing a tin can," he said. The owners of the parked cars arrived to find them badly damaged. Several were unable to be driven. Dr. Rimon Youssef came to get his car and was shocked at its condition. "I was off today. ... I came just for a meeting and found this," he said, gesturing to his red 1998 Ford Contour. The car was askew, half of it on the sidewalk, badly dented with a back tire bent underneath the car. "It only has 50,000 miles on it. It is — was — a really good car." Charges against the Toyota driver are pending. During the initial investigation, police determined he meant to hit the brakes but instead hit the gas before crashing into the Lincoln. The accident will be investigated further, Francis said. Hicks is grateful that she left work when she did. "I know if I had left one minute later ... I would not be alive." Reach Sophia Rodriguez at 937-5538 or srodriguez@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 19 comment(s)
Posted by Harpo on May 10, 2008 at 2:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That driver of the Avalon should never be able to drive a
car again .. for the rest of his or her life. That's just
too over the top. Revoke that driver's license for life
and, if uninsured or underinsured, garnish his or her
salary until all the damage is made good again.
Crazy SOB.
Posted by ForPnC on May 10, 2008 at 4:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The driver can't tell the difference between the brake and the gas?
I'm with Harpo on this one.
Posted by RTC on May 10, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Avalon was seen driving at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic.
Got the brake and gas pedal confused?
That's their "tale", I'm sitting on mine.
Posted by jca on May 10, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pure bs. probably some young stupid college kid acting like a moron
hes lying to police and their stupid enough to fall for it.
drive a car a few times you know the difference between the peddles. one goes up and down one goes side to side not rocket science charge this sob and replace those peoples cars
if i was one of the other five cars this boy wouldnt ever drive again i would sue him and the city.
Posted by jk_newhard on May 10, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why would the City be sued?
Posted by SomeTruthPlease on May 10, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good question, newhard...but I definitely agree that the moron in the Avalon should surrender his/her license indefinitely. The streets downtown are hard enough to navigate without some idiot driving as if it's the Indy 500...His insurance company is bound to love him!
Posted by mdtpace on May 10, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Agree with Harpo and JCA. Sue the city for not enforcing any traffic laws - speeding, red lights, not using signals, it happens continuously downtown and the police sit around with their thumbs in their asses. Start putting these people in jail. Downtown is out of control with this kind of crap.
Posted by coreyl on May 10, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Driving at high speeds, swerving in and out of traffic - over the last few months, I've been noticing a lot more of this activity on the roads and interstates in the low country and never a police car in sight. Where's our protection?
Posted by wonderdog on May 10, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are enough drug deals, robberies, shootings and stabbings to keep the police busy in that area, which is referred to by many on this board and in the community as catching the "real criminals". Check the City of Charleston site and view the municipal and traffic court rosters...it's obvious we need MORE police to enforce the laws, but no one wants to pay for it.
I hope they throw the book at this moron, but I expect a judge to give him/her a minor slap on the wrist.
Posted by withrockb on May 10, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonderdog you are exactly correct. The police are working hard at catching the real criminals that many people always state. If its not one thing to bitch about its another. First people complain about serious crimes, then complain about when the police enforce crime on a less serious offense (poker anyone) people just need something to bitch about. People will complain about the police but most don't have the gall to actually apply, go to the academy, and do the job. Money plays a part but its hard to hiring new officers when no one applies. There is a shortage in police officers city, state, and nation wide. The problem is going to get worse. Why become a police officer? $hitty pay, crappy hours, criminals have more rights than LEO, judicial system is ass backwards, and the people you protect and serve are quickly to sue you. The list goes on and on. All crimes and criminals are serious.
Posted by wonderdog on May 10, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, if the police go after a speeder or reckless driver, people are quick to complain that the police actions put innocent bystanders at risk, "just for a traffic violation." Police are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
I have seen announcements in the newspaper for community meetings with Chief Mullen to get input from citizens. Have any of you attended one to voice your concerns about how the police do their jobs?
Posted by UrGatorbait on May 10, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blame it on the city it;s the city's fault. Whine and waaah. Please. Not many around here big on personal responsibility just have the gubmint do it for us. We are to damn lazy to obey laws that protect us and others. If it isn't one thing to bitch about, it's another.
Thank you wonderdog, very good point.
I wonder if they were involved or knew any illegals? It might have caused the crash....Muwahaha
Posted by RTC on May 10, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To jca- I'm confused. Which pedal goes up and down, and which one goes from side to side?
Posted by jca on May 10, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lol rtc
Posted by pball4f on May 10, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is amazing how the Charleston County Rescue Squad never gets mentioned in these articles. They are volunteers that respond to every accident with some one trapped inside in the county. You can see their rescue truck right in the picture.
Posted by mdtpace on May 10, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The police department has a traffic unit to enforce traffic laws. If they do their job, no cops are being taken away from investigating other crimes. A friend's wife was t-boned at an intersection by a college kid talking on his cell who ran a light. Her child was in the car. Miraculously no one was seriously hurt. They need to aggressively enforce the traffic laws downtown, in Mt P, James Island, everywhere down here. You can't go a day without hearing about a horrible wreck with fatalities or getting caught in bad traffic because of an accident. The problem keeps getting bigger.
Posted by luvmydogs59 on May 10, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here is the update to this story:
One woman has died as a result of a bizarre crash along Cannon Street that damaged seven cars and sent four people to a hospital Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Lorraine Wilkins, 89, of Florida, died at Medical University Hospital at 10:52 p.m. Friday, roughly six hours after the crash, said Charleston County deputy coroner Brittney Wofford. An autopsy is planned for today.
Wilkins was a passenger in a white Toyota Avalon driven by her husband, 82-year-old Edward Wilkins, Charleston police said. The couple were on their way to Myrtle Beach when their car crashed into a gray Lincoln, injuring Charleston residents Dorothy Reed, 78, and Lorraine Gadsden, 47, said Charles Francis, police spokesman.
The two cars spun around several times, striking five other cars parked along Cannon Street. Glass flew in every direction.
The Wilkinses and the two women in the Lincoln were transported to the hospital. Conditions of the three survivors were not available Saturday.
A witness told The Post and Courier that she saw the Avalon speeding down Cannon Street, weaving in and out of traffic at an incredible speed. Francis said he had no information to support that account. The initial police investigation indicated that Edward Wilkins apparently tried to step on the brakes, but his foot landed on the gas pedal instead, propelling the Avalon into the Lincoln, he said.
The crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.
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The driver was an elderly man...some elderly people do have some problems...perhaps he became disoriented and hit the gas instead of the brake. Now he has to live with the death of his wife. I hope this investigation will show that it was truly an accident. I'm sure this man didn't mean to hit the gas. Accidents happen. I hope that everyone else involved recovers and my thoughts are with their families.
Posted by wonderdog on May 10, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They do enforce the traffic laws downtown, too aggressively in the opinion of many. Traffic court is packed. I watched a term of traffic court, and I was amazed at the number of drivers who were there for multiple DUS offenses - they had been caught again and again driving under suspension for unpaid tickets, NO INSURANCE, etc., and the judge gave every one a continuance. Another judge is known for suggesting to people who plead GUILTY to speeding and even running red lights to change their pleas to not guilty. There are plenty of tickets written. A DUI lawyer told me there is no DUI that sticks in this town if he gets the "right" judge.
There are not enough traffic units to handle all the nuts who drive in this town. You can't put a cop on every block unless you are willing to pay for it. If you think the police sit around and do nothing, sign up for a ride along and see what the job entails.
Posted by DawnM on May 10, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK that update explains it. I didn't buy the "I got confused about which pedal" story because how do you forget which pedal long enough to weave through traffic. Also, usually the elderly drive slow and are cautious, so maybe he did get disoriented. Sad story :(