Late-night accident explained
Last night's accident that injured several members of Lawrence family was the result of a stuck accelerator. Enlarge video
A teen who was injured in an unusual car accident Wednesday night has been released from a Kansas City hospital.
Josiah Asberry, 17, and Tracy Asberry, 50, both of Lawrence, were passengers in a pickup truck that crashed after the vehicle's accelerator stuck. They were flown by helicopter to Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kan.
Josiah Asberry was treated and released, according to hospital officials, who said they had no information available about Tracy Asberry. The driver of the car, Barbara Asberry, 24, of Lawrence, and her son, Gregory Asberry, 2, both were treated at the scene.
Lawrence Police Sgt. David Hubbel said Barbara Asberry was driving a black Dodge pickup east on 31st street near Nieder Road about 7 p.m. when the accelerator stuck and she couldn't stop. Hubbel said Asberry turned left into the Goodwill Parking lot, 2200 W. 31st St. He said she ran over a concrete median, sideswiped a tractor-trailer parked in the lot and tried to circle at the end of the lot - but went over a curb and hit a fence, where the car finally stopped.
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Pywacket (anonymous) says…
Did anybody think to ask the million-dollar question: "Ma'am, did it occur to you to slip it into neutral and/or turn off the key?"
I hope I would have the presence of mind to turn off the car or put it in neutral in a similar situation, but I can see where someone might panic. At least she got off the road and avoided what could've been a much worse accident.
What causes an accelerater to stick, anyway? Mechanical failure or an empty pop bottle rolling around the car? If the former, I wonder if damages can be recovered from the manufacturer.