An 89-year-old Parma woman died Tuesday after her motorized wheelchair rolled into the path of a car in a busy intersection, according to police. The crash happened shortly after 2:30 p.m., and emergency crews rushed her to a Cleveland hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Police said the driver stopped immediately, stayed at the scene, and was not immediately charged.
Crash Details and Witness Video
According to FOX 8, the collision occurred April 12 at the intersection of Ridge Road and Powers Boulevard. Witnesses told investigators the motorized wheelchair went into the intersection against the traffic signal. Dashcam video from a motorist later backed up those accounts, authorities said. Parma firefighters took the woman to a Cleveland hospital with possible life-threatening injuries, the station reported.
Victim Identified
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the woman as Ann Socolovitch, according to the Medical Examiner's Office. Officials have released few other details about the circumstances leading up to the crash as the case remains under investigation.
Investigation and Safety Takeaways
Parma police are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to contact the department. The deadly collision underscores how unforgiving high-traffic intersections can be for people using mobility devices and highlights the importance of escorts or clearly marked crossings when navigating congested roads.
