ROME, Ga. — According to the Rome News-Tribune, an elderly customer at the Goo-Goo Express Car Wash on North Broad St. hit the gas pedal instead of the brake at the location, hitting two employees, three vehicles and carwash equipment on Nov. 21st.
Jamey Goodman, regional manager for Goo-Goo, said that the location would be closed until at least the middle of the following week, which is likely when replacement parts for the damaged carwash equipment would be installed.
“None of this stuff is local,” Goodman said. “I’m trying to get an inventory and get it ordered so these people aren’t out of work for the holidays. But I’m mainly concerned about my guys … it was horrible.”
The two injured employees, Mark Strickland, 46, and Kenneth Smith, 48, had visible injuries and were taken to Floyd Medical Center, according to Rome Police Pfc. Steve Cantrell.
“They were conscious and alert; there didn’t appear to be anything life-threatening,” Cantrell stated.
The driver, Lina Koon, 89, was in shock but not injured, Cantrell said.
According to Cantrell, “When the gate opened, he confused the gas with the brake and drove straight through.”
Koon hit a pickup truck on the outside lane as well as the two employees and then continued into the tunnel, damaging equipment and hitting two more cars before stopping, the article noted.’
Cantrell said Koon was cited for reckless driving and causing serious injury with a vehicle, which is a felony, the article concluded; furthermore, he will be re-tested to determine if he is still qualified to have a license.
Read the original article here.
