Injuries, Gas Leak When 94-Year Old’s Truck Hits Hardee’s

July 6, 2011

Two people were injured with when a truck struck an Escambia County Hardee’s restaurant Wednesday morning.

Just after 8 a.m., a pickup driven by Edith Gilliland of Pensacola hit the Hardee’s at the intersection of Wilde Lake Boulevard and Pine Forest Road, just south of I-10.  The force of a collision near the restaurant’s drive-through windows also broke a gas line, creating a gas leak. Gas has since been turned off at the scene.

Gilliland was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries. A worker inside the restaurant,  50-year old Mary E. Woodard of Cantonment, was injured with the pickup partially entered the building and struck ovens and other cooking equipment.. She was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital. Total damage to the building was estimated at $25,000.

Gilliland was charged with careless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Pictured: Three people were injured when this pickup struck a Hardee’s restaurant this morning near I-10 and Pine Forest Road. Photo by Bree Sison, WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

14 Responses to “Injuries, Gas Leak When 94-Year Old’s Truck Hits Hardee’s”

  1. Bjay on July 7th, 2011 3:52 pm

    45mph kills also

  2. Concerned on July 7th, 2011 12:14 pm

    I would rather be on the road in front or behind a 94 year old than I would all the young ones on cell phones talking or texting who intentionally don’t have their mind on driving, but checking on their friends. At least the 94 year old goes about 45 mph and the younger on phones are going 85 mph. Just something to think about.

  3. Bjay on July 7th, 2011 10:26 am

    @davids- I agree that just because her age was 94 doesnt mean her license should be taking away. I do however think that someone at that age has decreased reaction time and decreased reflex’s. Maybe someone did cut her off or maybe there was a mechanical failure but Im pretty sure a younger person could have turned the wheel or figured out a way to stop the vehicle within the 50 foot she traveled before hitting the wall. Also I read the article and it doesnt mention any mechanical failures or any other person being at fault. That may change in the coming days but I can only go ofdf of what I read here.

  4. David Bramblett on July 7th, 2011 1:39 am

    Darnit, David Huie Green, stop trying to make these people think about the things they post! Don’t you know you should be able to say whatever you dern well please on the internets and not have someone be a hasslin’ ya?

    I guess people haven’t thrown away their “Jump to Conclusion Mats” (See: Office Space) after this Casey Anthony fiasco?

    Other David for David Huie Green keepin’ these folks in check and always trying to bring some intelligence to these boards.

  5. David Huie Green on July 6th, 2011 10:31 pm

    so if he were blind in one eye and 80 percent blind in the other but young, you would support his driving?

  6. monkey on July 6th, 2011 10:11 pm

    I love old people, I really do, but GET OUT OF YOUR CAR!!! At 94 you shouldn’t drive ANYWHERE! I personally got hit by a 96 year old man who was 80% blind in one eye and TOTALLY blind in the other, HE told me on side of the road he will NEVER quit driving as long as he has a license. He was in another car wreck 6 weeks later and killed a 20 something year old woman and himself. TAKE THEIR LICENSES!!

  7. David Huie Green on July 6th, 2011 9:42 pm

    REGARDING:
    “At 94, there is no such thing as a NON-AGE RELATED FACTOR?!!!”

    Sure there is.

    The vehicle might have had a mechanical failure. Some kid might have cut the driver off. The driver might have been too busy texting to notice the road.

    Maybe not, but you are telling us it never happens.

    But let’s assume age MUST be a factor and that all people should have their driver’s licenses revoked at a certain age. What age shall be our cut-off?

    David thinking people over 40
    are older than those who are 30
    who are older than those who are 20

  8. Mike on July 6th, 2011 8:13 pm

    On the way home today had a Great Great Great Grandmother that could barely see over the dash and was driving on a two lane. She must have had the car in drive but she was tapping on the brake and Weaving… She could have been in the same 1st grade class with the lady making the new entrance to Hardee’s. She was dangerous.

    We need to set an upper limit and at that age you have to be given a road test every few years. AT LEAST! Maybe we just say sorry no driving at 90 if you can’t prove you can still be trusted to drive a couple of thousand pounds of metal down streets where kids are playing.

  9. joe on July 6th, 2011 7:02 pm

    we have rules about minimum ages, so why not max limits for age? 94 seems old to still be driving!

  10. whitepunknotondope on July 6th, 2011 6:04 pm

    David! NON-AGE RELATED FACTOR?!!!

    At 94, there is no such thing as a NON-AGE RELATED FACTOR?!!!

    Ya think a 94 year-old shouldn’t be driving, huh? YA THINK?!!!!

    They’re lucky to still be breathing, but driving is something they should NOT be doing.

  11. cantonment on July 6th, 2011 3:07 pm

    now that’s what I call a drive-in

  12. David Huie Green on July 6th, 2011 2:45 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Maybe 94 is to old to be driving? I’m just saying!”

    Not because of age, but based on results, possibly.

    Of course, if we based that decision on driving performance, many a 17 year old is too old to be driving, too.

    Anyhoo, it is possible the event was caused by some non-age related factor.

    David jumping to conclusions slowly

  13. me on July 6th, 2011 12:02 pm

    I came across the scene shortly after this happened. With the amount of momentum it would have taken to strike the building the way the driver did, I honestly think the driver may have suffered from a health problem while driving, which caused her to have this accident. Its obvious there was no slowing down before the building was struck. I hope both injured people recover quickly.

  14. momOFtwins+1 on July 6th, 2011 11:46 am

    Maybe 94 is to old to be driving? I’m just saying!