Lee Wright

The Situation Sunday morning, a 79-year-old Florida woman backed over seven pedestrians while backing out of a handicapped space in a church parking lot, killing three people. The woman, Doreen Landstra, says, "somehow the pedal got stuck" and that "it was all a terrible accident." The Florida Highway Patrol said in a report that the accident was not alcohol related. Witnesses believe that Landstra appeared to accidentally put her SUV in reverse rather than drive.

“…she lost control of her SUV, striking the pedestrians and crashing over a curb before coming to rest partially submerged in a creek.” - Marlena Baldacci, CNN

Topics This Event Covers Society Responsibility Safety Awareness

Prompt While backing out of a parking spot, a 79-year- old woman backed over seven pedestrians, taking three lives. She blames the accident on a vehicle malfunction, but could there be more to the story? Considering the driving ability of senior citizens, write a well-developed essay in which you defend or refute the idea that people should be required to take a Driver’s License test upon reaching the age 65.

Marlena Baldacci, “Woman, 79, kills 3 while backing out of church parking space, police say”, CNN, 03 Feb , Web., 03 Feb