Multiple People Injured After Car Crashes into Bradenton Bank of America
On September 8th, 2020, officers with the Florida Highway Patrol operating in Manatee County first responded to calls of an auto accident involving an elderly driver who had crashed through the front facade of a local financial center, injuring himself and multiple other people in the process.
According to the preliminary collision reports from investigators with the Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee County FHP, it was approximately 1:40 p.m. Tuesday afternoon when a 90-year-old Bradenton resident and his 77-year-old female passenger approached the Bank of America located at 6160 14th St. W. in their Toyota sedan. Details indicate that the elderly driver was pulling his vehicle into one of the parking spots located close to the bank’s front entryway when, for unclear reasons, he pressed the sedan’s gas pedal. This surprising action caused the vehicle to suddenly accelerate and crash through the glass doors. After traveling 75 feet into the bank lobby and injuring 3 customers on its dangerous trajectory course, the Toyota finally came to a stop.
Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the site of the accident to find that three individuals inside Bank of America were suffering from various types & levels of injuries. The first was a 57-year-old female Bradenton resident who was immediately rushed to Manatee Memorial Hospital in serious condition. The second victim was a 66-year-old Palm Bay man who was transported to Blake Medical Center in critical condition. Lastly, an 85-year-old Bradenton man, as well as the driver who caused the collision, sustained minor injuries. It is unknown if they were also transported to a medical facility, or if they were able to be treated at the scene by paramedics. The Toyota’s 77-year-old passenger who was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash was unharmed in the incident.
This accident is currently under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Bradenton Police Department.
In the collision mentioned above, it is highly probable that the elderly driver simply mistook the gas pedal for the brake pedal – an honest, but scary mistake. Alternatively, it’s possible that the Toyota’s accelerator malfunctioned and became stuck in the depressed position. Whichever turns out to be true, we’d like to wish the victims a fast and speedy recovery.
Sources:
- 90-year-old crashes into Florida bank, injures 3 customers, troopers say
- Car crashes into Manatee County bank, hitting patrons, FHP reports
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
