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Man, 88, accidentally PLOWs car at California Trader Joe’s, injuring eight after ‘pedal confusion’
- The man, who was not identified apart from his age, tried to brake his gray Toyota Avalon around 4 p.m. as he burst into the market.
- He eventually stopped in what was left of the till at the Trader Joe’s in Castro Valley, about 29 miles from Oakland.
- Police said the elderly driver was driving at a significant speed when he had what they described as ‘pedal confusion’
- Among the eight injured were a five-year-old child and a store employee. Four of the injured were taken to a local hospital, but all were conscious
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Eight people were injured after an 88-year-old man accidentally stepped on the accelerator and drove straight into a California Trader Joe’s on Thursday afternoon.
The man, who was not identified apart from his age, tried to brake his gray Toyota Avalon around 4 p.m. as he burst into the market. KTVU.
Finally, he tucked into what was left of the till at the Trader Joe’s in Castro Valley, about 18 miles from Oakland.
Lani Borges, who was shopping there, said, “I saw something enter the store. I went backwards and at that moment a man grabbed me very strongly and pulled me back so I was out of danger. If I hadn’t been driving fast enough, I might have been hit by the car.’
Police said the elderly driver was driving at considerable speed when he had what they described as ‘pedal confusion’ and was still driving into the shop with several people.
Eight people were injured after an 88-year-old man accidentally stepped on the accelerator and drove straight into a California Trader Joe’s on Thursday afternoon.
The man, who was not identified apart from his age, tried to brake his gray Toyota Avalon around 4 p.m. as he burst into the market.
He eventually stopped in what was left of the till at the Trader Joe’s in Castro Valley, about 29 miles from Oakland.
Police said the elderly driver was driving at considerable speed when he had what they described as ‘pedal confusion’ and plowed in with several people still in the shop.
Lani Borges, who was shopping there, said, “I saw something enter the store. I went backwards and at that moment a man grabbed me very strongly and pulled me back so I was out of danger. If I hadn’t moved fast enough, I might have been hit by the car.”
Among the eight injured were a five-year-old child and a store employee. Four of the injured were taken to a local hospital, but all were conscious, according to Alameda County Fire Department’s division chief Paige Bowie. Another person refused treatment.
Alameda County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Ray Kelly said none of the injuries appear to be life-threatening. People were not directly hit by the car, but by falling debris.
California Highway Patrol had to evacuate the building upon arrival and has since removed the car.
Among the eight injured were a five-year-old child and a store employee. Four of the injured were taken to a local hospital, but all were conscious, according to Alameda County Fire Department’s division chief Paige Bowie.
Alameda County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Ray Kelly said none of the injuries appear to be life-threatening. People were not directly hit by the car but by falling debris
California Highway Patrol had to evacuate the building after they arrived and has since removed the car
The driver has not been arrested and drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been involved in the accident, according to CHP.
It will be investigated whether there was a mechanical problem with the Toyota Avalon.
Police said that although firefighters will check for hazards, there appears to be no structural damage to the store.
The Trader Joe’s location will remain closed at least through Friday, with shoppers being encouraged to learn more about a potential reopening via social media.