Woman dies after bizarre Cannon Street wreckBy Glenn Smith (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, May 11, 2008
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 10:52 p.m. Friday at Medical University Hospital, roughly six hours after the crash, Charleston County deputy coroner Brittney Wofford said. 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, police spokesman Charles Francis said. 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. Gadsden was listed in good condition in the hospital Saturday; Reed and Edward Wilkins were treated and released. 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 brake pedal but his foot landed on the accelerator instead, propelling the Avalon into the Lincoln, he said. The crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed. Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 10 comment(s)
Posted by skeeter on May 11, 2008 at 2:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now this story is getting really strange. My heart goes out to all involved. When it was first reported I would have never guessed it was an elderly couple. I'm sure more will be revealed.
Posted by Neponset on May 11, 2008 at 6 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree. I initially guessed that it was some out of control young person.
My elderly mother knocked down the back wall of her garage when she was about 85 and it was the same situation - hit accellorator instead of brakes
Posted by RTC on May 11, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When I posted on this story last night I could only speculate that maybe the elderly man was trying to get his wife to a hospital. She may have been suffering from a stroke or heart attack. Being from out of town, he may not have known where he was going.
Why an autopsy on the wife, who was not driving, unless the doctors suspected that she died more as a result of something other than her injuries?
The man may also have had some type of medical condition.
All possible scenarios, as we may never know just what happened. The elderly, as a rule, drive slower than normal, so this is all very confusing.
Posted by ForPnC on May 11, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well this story shot everyone's theories to hell that posted yesterday. I also thought it was a young, stupid kid.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Wilkins.
Posted by Perspective on May 11, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Autopsies are done for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is so that the cause of death on the death certificate is correct.
In some cases a heart attack might just be a straight insurance payout while an accidental death in a car wreck would be a double payout.
People do some very bizarre things sometimes, so it is only fair to the deceased (in many cases) to do autopsies.
Posted by sad on May 11, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My Aunt Lorraine died in that horiffic crash. I will miss her deeply. She is going to be missed by our families.
Posted by ForPnC on May 11, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sad - My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Posted by galaxyscope on May 11, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The lanes on that part of the 17 are very poorly marked. I have been fooled more than once myself at that spot when I was driving on the right lane, and suddenly realizing the 17 curves away, and the right lane splits off. Drivers at this hour are usually very rude and they’d give no mercy to let you change a lane back to 17.
It is likely that the driver was confused/panicked when he realized his lane is splitting off. He probably tried to speed up to merge to the left lane, only to be forced off to Cannon Street by some driver who refused to give him a little courtesy. (Unfortunately it is typical that drivers in this area have little sense of courtesy.)
It’s a tragedy that never should have happened. Unfortunately, until they improve the marking of the lanes, that will remain an accident-prone spot.
Posted by abitskeptical on May 11, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With the rising senior population we do need to come up with a plan to ensure that they are healthy enough to drive.
Healthy enough to drive would mean that vision & all reflexes are within normal limits.
There are plenty of 82 year olds who can drive better than some 60 year olds. There are some 60 year olds who are dangerous on the road. People age so differently based on many variables.
I guess a good way to figure this out is to look at motor vehicle acident statistics on age of the driver & come up with an age at which drivers have to take the tests as if they are getting their driver's license for the first time.
Posted by Clemsurf on May 12, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences to the family but another reason people over 65 need to retake the driving test every 5 years.