www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/07/16/farmers.market.crash/index.html
Story Tools 26 more video VIDEO The aftermath of the farmers' market tragedy. SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- An 86-year-old man who drove his mid-size Buick through a crowded farmers' market Wednesday told police he couldn't stop and may have hit the accelerator instead of the brake, Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Nine people were killed, including a 3-year-old girl, authorities said. The more than 54 hurt include 14 people with critical injuries, they said. Police escorted the man, identified by his attorney as Russell Weller, to a local hospital where he was found to have no alcohol or psychiatric medications in his system. Later, Weller walked out of the police station with the help of a cane and with his attorney by his side. Police released him from custody after he was interviewed by detectives. Charges could be filed at a later time, Butts said, noting that Weller is a resident of Santa Monica and does not appear to be a flight risk. There was no indication that Weller intended to injure any pedestrians. The driver's attorney, Jim Bianco, released a statement from the family late Wednesday: "Mr. Weller and his family want to express their deepest sympathies to the victims and their families of the tragic accident earlier today. Butts said officers have interviewed more than 100 witnesses, who gave conflicting reports regarding the driver's demeanor at the time of the incident. One witness said: "It was like a Sherman tank barreling through, hitting everything, just going right over people. The driver, Russell Weller, leaves the police station with an unidentified relative, left. Joe Crisman works in a building along the street where the market is held. He witnessed the accident and said the driver appeared befuddled. Video shot by local news station helicopters showed several people being treated by emergency personnel on top of red sheets in the street. Ambulances and police cars crowded the area, and a damaged red car sat among debris. John's Health Center, where one of them -- a 50-year-old man -- died Wednesday night, according to Lt. UCLA Medical Center received 13 patients: Six in critical condition -- including two children under the age of 2; UCLA Santa Monica received 12 victims: one infant in critical condition; Hospital sources said the injuries range from broken bones to head injuries to possible internal injuries. A spokeswoman for the Santa Monica Police Department said the Wednesday market is usually extremely busy, with three city blocks devoted to the market stalls and closed to all but pedestrian traffic. According to the city's Web site, 9,000 people visit the market each week. Story Tools 35 Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time!
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