1. Overview of the Incident
An 87-year-old driver accidentally crashed his vehicle into the entrance of a department store. While attempting to park, he mistakenly left the gear in “Drive” and pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. The vehicle suddenly surged forward, jumped the curb, broke through the glass entrance, and drove deep into the store interior.
2. Driver Profile and Health
The driver was an elderly male with over two decades of accident-free driving experience. He had a recent medical history involving deteriorating vision and joint pain. He was also taking prescribed medication for heart and blood pressure conditions. On the day of the incident, he was sober, and a field sobriety test confirmed no influence of alcohol or drugs.
3. How the Crash Occurred
During the parking maneuver, the driver misjudged the gear position and pressed the accelerator, believing it was the brake. As a result, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably for approximately 20 meters, smashed through the store’s automatic doors, and plowed into display fixtures. A woman and her 3-year-old daughter standing near the entrance were directly struck by the vehicle.
4. Damages and Casualties
The incident resulted in two fatalities—a woman in her 30s and her young child. Five additional individuals, including customers and store employees, sustained various injuries. Property damage included shattered glass doors, damaged checkout counters, broken display units, and floor tiles.
5. Criminal Proceedings
Investigators examined the vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR), which confirmed that the brake was not engaged and only the accelerator was used at the time of the crash. Prosecutors filed charges for gross negligence manslaughter.
Taking into account the driver’s age, health condition, and previously clean record, the court issued a suspended sentence along with three years of probation and a monetary fine. His driver’s license was permanently revoked with no option for reinstatement.
6. Civil Liability
The families of the deceased and the injured filed civil claims against both the driver and his insurer. The court found the driver fully liable, citing his failure to assess his diminished driving capabilities.
The driver’s insurance provider covered essential expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, and a portion of compensation for emotional distress. For damages exceeding the insurance policy limit, the court ordered personal payment from the driver’s assets, such as pension income or real estate.
7. Estimated Compensation Based on Similar Cases
While the specific compensation amount was not publicly disclosed, similar incidents typically involve the following financial ranges:
Wrongful death compensation: $250,000 to $1,000,000 per individual
Injury-related damages: $50,000 to $300,000 per person
Funeral expenses: $10,000 to $20,000
Property damage: Several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars
Given the scope of the incident—two deaths, five injuries, and major property destruction—total compensation likely ranged between $800,000 and $2,800,000, combining insurance and personal liability.