An elderly driver was injured Saturday afternoon after his car blasted through two garages and crashed into two houses near Harlem Avenue and Howard Street in Niles. Police say the chain reaction started when the man accidentally shifted into drive while inside his own garage. Neighbors recalled a chaotic scene, but officials said no one else was hurt.
How the crash unfolded
According to ABC7 Chicago, Niles police said the car shot out of the driver’s garage, then plowed through the wall and door of a neighbor’s garage before continuing on and striking two nearby houses. The station reports the driver was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, and that police did not immediately share additional details.
Why this can happen
Crashes like this are often linked to "pedal misapplication" or other driver errors, for example, pressing the wrong pedal or mis-shifting, and research has found the risk goes up with age. A Transport Research Laboratory report found that older drivers are disproportionately involved in pedal-misapplication crashes and that certain interruption patterns or foot placement issues can increase the odds of a mistake.
Niles police told ABC7 Chicago that no one else was injured and that the driver’s condition was not life-threatening. The department did not immediately release more information, and residents looking for official updates can monitor the Village of Niles press releases.
