On April 27, 2014 at approx. 09:15 hrs.am, my wife and I were attempting to parallel park in front of St. Patrick's Church in Ottawa Canada. As we were backing into the space, the car accelerated out of control. The vehicle then made two 360 degree turns, smashing into a wrought iron fence and knocking over a light standard before resting on the lawn where we hit the church sign. If we were not stopped by the sign, we would of smashed into a car that was parked on the street. We barely missed a number of people who were walking up to the church. Two elderly people fell to the street but were not hurt. Two ambulances attended the scene and checked the two to ensure that they were not injured. Five Ottawa police officers also attended whereas an accident report was made. The accident required two tow trucks to dislodge the vehicle which had come to rest on the light standard and sign. My wife and I were not injured but were badly shaken. The whole incident took seconds to occur.
I would like to add that I am a thirty-five year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, completing various driving and advanced driving courses as well as being involved in a number of high speed pursuits over my career.
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On April 27, 2014 at approx. 09:15 hrs.am, my wife and I were attempting to parallel park in front of St. Patrick's Church in Ottawa Canada. As we were backing into the space, the car accelerated out of control. The vehicle then made two 360 degree turns, smashing into a wrought iron fence and knocking over a light standard before resting on the lawn where we hit the church sign. If we were not stopped by the sign, we would of smashed into a car that was parked on the street. We barely missed a number of people who were walking up to the church. Two elderly people fell to the street but were not hurt. Two ambulances attended the scene and checked the two to ensure that they were not injured. Five Ottawa police officers also attended whereas an accident report was made. The accident required two tow trucks to dislodge the vehicle which had come to rest on the light standard and sign. My wife and I were not injured but were badly shaken. The whole incident took seconds to occur.
I would like to add that I am a thirty-five year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, completing various driving and advanced driving courses as well as being involved in a number of high speed pursuits over my career.
Gary Pender
- gpender, Ottawa, Onrario, Canada