ENCINITAS–An elderly driver Thursday backing out of a Trader Joe’s parking space confused the gas pedal for the brake and accelerated backward striking four pedestrians at the entrance to the store, according to Sheriff’s deputy traffic investigators.
The 2:40 p.m. collision occurred at the Trader Joe’s at 115 N. El Camino Real in Encinitas, authorities say.
The 87-year-old driver told the deputies she had been trying to back out of a parking space after leaving the store.
The victims, whose ages ranged from early fifties to late eighties, were injured. One victim was transported by paramedic ambulance to Scripps La Jolla Hospital and two were taken to Scripps Encinitas. The full extent of the victims’ injuries is not known; however, each complained of pain and one was being treated for potential broken bones.
Although the driver has lived in California for some time, she never obtained a California Driver’s License. She was cited for being unlicensed and her 2002 Honda Accord vehicle was impounded.
The driver was found to not be intoxicated. The collision investigation is continuing.
