A 78-year-old Port St. Lucie woman died Sunday after an SUV in her driveway rolled backward and struck her, authorities said. She was taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce, where she was pronounced dead.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded about 10:47 a.m. to the 100 block of Southeast El Sito Court after reports that the vehicle began moving on its own, according to WPBF 25 News. FOX5 Las Vegas also showed video of the scene and reported the fatality as investigators worked to determine why the SUV moved.
How investigators say it happened
Local reporting and the Florida Highway Patrol incident log indicate the woman’s 59-year-old son was sitting in the front passenger seat when he reached across the center console to press the brake and push the start button. For reasons investigators are still examining, the 2016 Lincoln MKX rolled backward and the open driver’s door hit the woman, knocking her to the ground, according to Port St. Lucie Talks.
Rollaway risk and safety steps
Crashes involving vehicles that move unexpectedly are a documented hazard, and experts say keyless ignitions and shift-by-wire systems can create confusing cues that raise the odds of an unintended rollaway. Safety Research & Strategies points to federal data showing dozens of rollaway deaths, and AAA advises drivers to set the parking brake and confirm the transmission is in Park before exiting a vehicle.
The Traffic Homicide Investigation remains open and officials did not immediately release the victim’s name, according to Port St. Lucie Talks. This story will be updated when authorities release additional information.
