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LIMA, Ohio — A 63-year-old
woman suddenly drove her car into a crowded town square in northwest
Ohio and struck bystanders, sending some through the air and injuring
about 30 people, some of whom were pinned under the car and freed when
bystanders lifted it, authorities and witnesses said.
No one was
killed, but some victims suffered serious injuries to their legs, heads
and necks, police said. A hospital spokeswoman said about 30 people were
treated Friday night. All but four were released, and at least one
other victim was taken to another hospital.
The chaotic scene
unfolded after 9 on Friday night in Lima, where more than 1,000 people
had gathered for a weekly community event featuring live music, police
said.
"We were packed," said Andrea Scheckelhoss, who was working
in a beer truck at the event. "This was probably one of our busiest
nights."
She said people were trying to get their last round of
beer for the night when she saw a small, two-door vehicle come from her
right and plow through the crowd. About 50 people were in and around its
path.
"I could hear the people hitting against the car," the
25-year-old Scheckelhoss said. "There were shoes flying. I could see
people tumbled over. It was just so disturbing."
Scheckelhoss, one
of the first people to dial 911, said the woman, whom police are not
identifying, had a white dog in the back seat.
"I remember looking at the woman's face," she said. "She looked disoriented."
Todd
Truesdale, the fire chief for Shawnee Township, was at the event with
his wife and some friends. He said he had his back turned to the
accident when he heard a loud scream and turned around.
"I saw two people go up the air, and I knew it was a car," he said. "I couldn't see it, but I heard the revving of the engine."
Finally,
the car struck an old sculpture in the square, witnesses say, then came
to a stop with its windshield shattered. Those nearby picked it up to
free victims who were trapped.
Lima Police Detective Steve
Stechschulte said the woman probably drove the car about 50 feet at
about 20 mph. Tire marks show the car's destructive path, including a
sidewalk and mulch-filled flower bed.
Truesdale, who said the car came to rest right beside him, began to help local responders.
"Everyone
was trying to help," he said. "It was tragic, but it was nice to see
the community come together, especially the local fire, police and EMS."
Stechschulte
said officials were still investigating what may have caused the crash.
He said the woman, who lives in the area, was not injured and has been
released pending further investigation. He said she has been
cooperative.
Lima is about 80 miles south of Toledo.
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