Driver Loses Control Hitting 10 People

Alabama Fairfield Police are questioning a driver in Fairfield Alabama after they say she lost control of her car hitting 9 children and killing an adult outside of a school.

by Associated Press

Published: Sat, November 21, 2009 - 2:17 pm CST Last Updated: Sat, November 21, 2009 - 11:48 pm CST

FAIRFIELD, Alabama - Police say an adult victim who was struck along with nine children after a woman lost control of her car outside a Fairfield middle school has died.

Fairfield police Sgt. Matthew Romei said 46-year-old Debrah Johnson died after undergoing surgery at UAB Hospital in Birmingham on Friday night.

Witnesses tell the Birmingham News that a woman was trying to avoid children playing in the street outside the school when she lost control of the car.

Children's Hospital spokesman Garland Stansell said three children taken there have been discharged and three others were admitted in serious and fair condition.

Fairfield Police Chief Pat Mardis said the 67-year-old driver, whose name had not been confirmed by authorities, is being questioned.

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carl Says:

Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 4:32 pm

Amen to the 67 isn’t all that old!I wished I were 67 again.
Some people shouldn’t be driving regardless of how old they are,16 to 105.It all depends on their mental ability.I see more of the younger crowd involved in accidents than the older ones but the age shouldn’t be the cause, just the state of one’s mind and ability to comprehend their surroundings.If it wouldn’t be so expensive they need better tests of everyone at license renewal to see if they really know how to drive safely and can read a eye chart.A road test for each and everyone would be a far better test.

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cyoteone Says:

Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 8:14 am

Yeah, 67 is dependent on the state of mind. If she didnt panic and hit the wrong pedal then she was traveling a might fast to take out 9 children and kill one adult. In front of a school it is expected to find unrulely children, unfortunately in the street too. Hence the caution signs warning of such.
I had this white haired old lady turn in my turn lane and i couldnt go around to get up to the light. Had to back up but every time i did she would inch forward. I was trying to go around but couldnt. She was so disoriented from age that she couldnt rashon what i was doing. I had to get out and yell to go around. That is when i saw the outline of her bushy white hair and realized it was an old lady. But thats no excuse.

posted from my iPhone

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ami702 Says:

Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 11:49 pm

Does it say that she got confused about the brake and gas petal? Because I never read anything like that, unless you have some sort of information not posted in the story.
I am sure that the poor woman feels horrible and is traumatized by this. The real person to blame in this situation (if we must point fingers) is the parents of the children. If my mom ever caught me playing in a street I would have had my hide tanned, once by her then once when daddy came home. And speaking from experience… I have been hit by two drunk drivers and one old person (I am a car accident magnet). And, trust me… an old person is never worse than a drunk driver.
Besides, 67 really isn’t that old.

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cyoteone Says:

Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 8:03 pm

If old folks, or anyone for that matter, cant properly function behind the wheel then they need not be there. If your driving in a school zone then why so fast that you swerve uncontrolably into a crowd. She was just so old that she became confused and hit the gas instead of the brake. Poor old lady. Those lousy children playing like kids do.
An old person can be worse than a drunk driver!