Elderly Driver Strikes 2 Children In Crosswalk
Injuries Considered Non-Life-Threatening
POSTED: 10:37 am EDT July 15, 2009
UPDATED: 11:27 am EDT July 16, 2009
BOSTON -- An elderly driver struck two children in Medfield as she was pulling out of a church parking lot. The driver Anne Johnson, 83, Max Lodkin, 5, and his 23-month-old brother, Timothy, while they were in the crosswalk with their grandmother, police said."We were crossing the street, and we bumped into a car," Max said.The incident happened near St. Edwards Church on Route 27 shortly after 9:30 a.m."The injuries are not life-threatening. The infant did suffer some facial trauma," Medfield Police Department Chief Robert Meaney said.Timothy was taken to Norwood Hospital, and later sent to Boston Children's Hospital, where the toddler was being treated for facial injuries. Max was treated at Norwood Hospital. Neither of their injuries are considered life-threatening. The driver was not hurt.A check of Johnson's driving record shows that she was involved in one surchargable crash, but that was 16 years ago in Sept. 1993."I didn’t hit the child. I touched the stroller and turned the stroller over," Johnson said.The Registry of Motor Vehicle revoked Johnson's license late Wednesday, but no charges have been filed.Last month, an 88-year-old driver was charged in connection with a crash that killed a 4-year-old girl in Stoughton. Diya Patel was riding her scooter with her family on June 13, using a crosswalk to traverse Washington Street, when she was struck, according to police.The Automobile Insurers Bureau of Massachusetts has launched a study on seniors behind the wheel. The study showed that drivers under the age of 75 are safer, and drivers over 75 are involved in more crashes than the average adult and seniors are more likely to file claims for property damage than bodily injury.A look at Registry of Motor Vehicles data from 2006 to 2008 showed that 65 people died in car wrecks involving people over 80, with 22 of those fatalities occurring last year.Forty proposed bills that would either limit or restrict elderly drivers are now under consideration on Beacon Hill and the next stop for the debate is a legislative committee. The bill getting the most attention would require road tests for drivers every five years once they turn 85.NewsCenter 5 and TheBostonChannel.com will have more information when it becomes available.
Previous Stories:
- July 1, 2009: Elderly Driver In Fatal Crash Had Prior License Revocation
- July 1, 2009: Woman, 84, Dies After Crash Involving Elderly Husband
- July 1, 2009: Driver, 83, May Be Charged In Latest Crash
- June 30, 2009: Another Crash With Elderly Drivers Injures 3
- June 30, 2009: Lawmakers To Debate Elderly Driver Restrictions
- June 29, 2009: Driver, 86, Has License Revoked After Crash
- June 29, 2009: Latest Older Driver Crash Stirs Insurance Debate
- June 28, 2009: Police: 86-Year-Old Driver Hits Pedestrian
- June 14, 2009: Girl Hit By 88-Year-Old Driver Critically Hurt
- June 4, 2009: Driver In Plymouth Crash Has License Revoked
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