July 4, 2009 – Jacqueline Sorensen, age 83, crashed her car through the storefront window of a Natick, Massachusetts liquor store yesterday. The Ford Mustang convertible hit the checkout counter and struck the cashier, apparently only causing the female worker only minor personal injuries. Natick police investigated the car accident, have charged Sornesen with Operating to Endanger and have suspended her operator’s license, calling her an immediate threat.
According to Natick Police, the car crashed into Fannon’s Liquor Store on North Main Street at about 10:40 a.m. The driver was taken to the hospital, suffering from chest pain. Apparently, she had no recollection of what had happened. Her car had a handicapped placard.
The cashier, Debra Blenkhorn, 51, has worked at the store for 13 years. She was also taken to the hospital with arm and neck pain. Apparently, she had been pinned between the counter and a shelf full of liquor bottles.
Is this spate of elderly accidents something new, or is there just heightened reporting lately as the result of the tragic death of 4 year old Diya Patel? Regardless, Massachusetts lawmakers now appear determined to pass legislation requiring additional testing of elderly persons for their driving capabilities, in an attempt to stem these unfortunate accidents.
Source: Boston.com