Eugene couple injured when car crashes into sub shop
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KEIZER, Ore. -- An 84-year-old woman crashed through the front of a Quiznos sub shop in Keizer Sunday afternoon injuring two Eugene residents inside, Keizer Police said.
Police lines in Keizer lit up at around 3:45 p.m. Sunday as multiple callers reported that a car had crashed through the front of the town's Quiznos restaurant. Officers arrived to find 84-year-old Eleanor Pohl had driven her car into the store, injuring two people.
Pohl told police that she had just driven into the parking lot and was parking her car when she mistook the brake for the gas pedal. The mistake sent her car over the curb and through the glass front of the restaurant.
Officials reported that a married couple, Sarah and Steven Grossberg, both 43 from Eugene, sustained minor injuries from the crash; Pohl was uninjured.
"She almost killed us," said Steven Grossberg at his home in Eugene on Monday.
Sarah had cuts and bruises, Steven sustained injuries to his lower legs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Grossberg were taken to the Salem Hospital.
Keizer police said that they are still investigating the crash. No citations have been issued to Ms. Pohl as of yet.
I don't want seniors singled out for retesting. I want everyone to take a vision test, book test, and driving test every 5 years. So much can change in a 5 year period of time. It is not just the elderly that cause accidents. It is new drivers that lack experience, not so new drivers that think they can handle anything, distracted drivers, raging drivers, drivers under the influence or while impaired, sleepy drivers, and the list can go on and on. Cell phones, radios, sun in the eyes, too much rain on the road, potholes, debris...
Driving privileges should be re-earned on a regular basis. There are endless possibilities that can cause a driver to be in an accident, but poor vision, ignorance of rules of the road (that DO change) and the in-ability to demonstrate reasonable driving skills to an impartial person should not be part of that equation.
Yup, every time there's an accident like this there is a hew and cry for getting "old people" off the roads. The media delights in these stories because it generates controversy. I'd like to see the numbers comparing the accidents that are caused by elderly drivers compared to the accidents caused by young drivers who are changing their CDs, texting, yammering on their cells phones, or doing all the other things that distract them while driving. Accidents happen to everyone and I'm sorry for the victims and the old lady who hit them.
Obama's got a cure for old people.
This is like the 100th time a old person has done that (hit the wrong pedal) This is why old people shouldn't be alowed to drive.
@Coosbayresident I'm over 70, accident free, want to compare car insurance premiums?
 @Coosbayresident Yeah, young people *never* make mistakes!
 @Coosbayresident what does eyesight have too do with hitting the wrong pedal in your car...
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 @Coosbayresident They should have to take tests to ensure they're fit to drive, but fortunately we don't just set an age when we're going to start discriminating against old people... like I know you're in favor of. Funny, I don't see you saying people under the age of a fully-developed brain shouldn't be able to drive, even though they're involved in far more accidents and fatalities. In fact, statistically, the elderly are some of the least likely to be involved in a motor-vehicle accident.Â
 @Coosbayresident Totally agree. There should honestly be an age where you are required to take the vision...no help DMV people it has to be done on their own...as well as a driving test to renew your license.Â