Car crashes into Ohio concert crowd, dozens hurt

A car crashed into a crowded town square in Lima, Ohio Friday evening, June 15, 2012, injuring dozens and pinning some victims underneath the vehicle. / WLMO

(AP) LIMA, Ohio - A woman suddenly drove her car into a crowded town square in northwest Ohio, injuring 20 to 25 people, some of whom were pinned under the car and freed when bystanders lifted it, authorities and witnesses said.

The chaotic scene unfolded after 9 p.m. Friday night when an unidentified woman drove her Oldsmobile sedan into a crowd of dozens gathered for a weekly community event featuring live music, Lima police said. The car appeared to be at a complete stop before it was driven into the square, witnessed told the Lima News. It also struck an old sculpture in the square at full speed.

When the car came to a rest, those nearby picked it up to free victims who were trapped.

"It just happened so fast," Amee Truesdale, who was at the event with her husband, told the newspaper. "We all fell backwards. It was unreal. There were bodies, and shoes and jewelry."

No one was killed. Police said some victims suffered serious injuries to legs, heads and necks. At least five were taken to hospitals, including at St. Rita's Medical Center and Lima Memorial Health System. Two are in serious but stable condition, two others are in stable condition, and the condition of a fifth person was not available.

It's not clear what happened to the driver, who had a dog with her in the car, witnesses said.

Police said they're still investigating what may have caused the crash.

Lima is about 80 miles south of Toledo.

[Mike_in_USA]

Oh no! Bystanders lifted the car off people? They weren't qualified first responders? Don't they realize how much damage they could have done to the victims and to themselves? Better to wait (and let the people suffer, maybe injuries to become fatal)) for first responders.Is'nt that what is preched to us all the time?
Wait till the lawyers get hold of this!

[waxpoetic]

I agree with credibility2. She probably would've been able to see/hear the crowd before she even started the car. I often have dreams that happen...I guess I am a bit psychic. I "saw" this one but I didn't know where or to whom it would happen. I'm glad no one was killed, that part wasn't clear to me. I had the feeling before I even heard of this that it was intentional and that they would try to call it an accident. This person could very well be a sociopath. Of course it could've been a different incident. In my dream I couldn't tell if the car was silver or white. I thought it was white. But everything else was eerily similar, including the part about how she appeared to be speeding up as she got closer. That part was in a different article about this incident. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to prevent it...I seldom can with these things.

[hypnotoad72]

Premonition? Precognition? Anything is possible...

[Kauaiguy]

It makes me wonder if the dog was in the front seat with her and had anything to do with the accident.

I see people here in Hawaii driving with their dog not only in the front seat but in the driver's lap while the dog looks out the driver's side window. How can that NOT be a distraction or an accident waiting to happen?

[hypnotoad72]

If the dog is in the front (not recommended), get it behind a seat belt, in a car seat designed for such a creature, etc. Letting them roam around free in the car is almost as stupid as being in the grocery store and letting the kid hang on the edge or side of the cart... in short, it's a very stupid thing to do, to let poochie in the car unrestrained...

[bramletabercrombie]

It looks more like a 2003 to 2005 Chevy Cavalier than an Oldsmobile to me.

[credibility2]

..if the car was at a complete stop and then the driver plowed into the crowd, it sounds like this was a deliberate act...even if not, the woman needs to be put in jail for a long time...her stupidity or criminality caused a great deal of physical, psychological and emotional injury to many...

[hypnotoad72]

Agreed!