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Woman Backs Over Husband in Driveway in Heartbreaking Mistake

by Janelle Harris on May 29, 2012 at 6:39 PM

hit and runA Florida couple’s twilight-year love story came to a tragic, terrible end on Sunday. As part of his normal routine, an 87-year-old man was in his driveway getting the newspaper. Then, for whatever reason, his wife couldn’t see him—and accidentally backed over him with the car. According to reports, the rear bumper hit Paul Gagliani, knocking him down. He then fell under the car as his 81-year-old wife, Halina, continued to back out of the driveway. The unsuspecting victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

No charges will be filed against poor Mrs. Gagliani, who must be in all kinds of agony. My heart goes out to her as she sorts through the grief and guilt that goes hand-in-hand with this kind of situation. 

It seems like driveway accidents have been in heavy news rotation as of late. A Danbury, CT man was killed in April after the jack failed on a car he was working on in his driveway and crushed him underneath. Earlier this month, a Wisconsin woman tried to mow down her husband when he decidedly stood in her way so she couldn’t vote for an opposing political candidate. And just yesterday, a 3-year-old little girl was discovered hanging from her mother’s car window after she’d been playing in the driveway.

Accidents can happen anywhere, but they seem even more devastating when they happen only feet away from home. We worry about crazies with road rage, speed demons on the highway, and hot shots on motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic, but freak accidents in our own front yards are a very real possibility. Stories like this are a reminder to be extra, extra careful from the time you slide behind the wheel, before you even hit the public streets.

How do you make sure the coast is clear before you pull out of your driveway or garage?


Image via Richard Berg/Flickr

Filed Under: accidents, cars, death, in the news

Comments

16
  • KellyB
    -- Nonmember comment from

    KellyB

    May 30, 2012 at 8:15 AM
    Thankfully my car has a rear-view camera so I can see what's directly behind my bumper. Now when I drive cars without one, I get very uncomfortable not being able to see what's there.

    I have friends with cars that have back-up sensors that beep when you get too close to something. Hopefully one day all cars will be outfitted with both cameras and sensors so tragedies like this won't happen again.

    My heart goes out to her, what a sad story.
  • Lilac
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Lilac

    May 30, 2012 at 9:52 AM
    And this is why the elderly over 65 need to be retested every year for driver licenses. Obviously she is blind for not seeing him and deaf for not hearing him scream in pain as she crushed him and obviously must lack nerve endings to not feel the car going over a huge lump in the driveway that wasn't there yesterday.
  • KellyB
    -- Nonmember comment from

    KellyB

    May 30, 2012 at 11:32 AM
    Lilac, I totally agree with your point, but I hope a family member doesn't happen to come across this article and read that comment. There's a more tactful way to make the same point.
  • Joyce...
    -- Facebook comment from

    Joyce Stafford

    May 30, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    That is so sad. On another note I have (and I'm sure most of you have too) thought about running over my husband from time to time - don't lie you know you have.


  • Lilac
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Lilac

    May 30, 2012 at 1:36 PM
    @Kelly B: I know I sound harsh but with all the baby boomers set to retire there needs to be policy changed. I once watched an elder woman hit a parked car, scraping along the side of it, breaking off the mirror then just looking around confused before driving off. At court (since I was a witness) She said she thought maybe she had heard something but hadn't been sure. She side swiped the entire length of the car! But didn't SEE she was hitting it and didn't HEAR the terrible sound it was making. She was 84 Just imaging if there has been someone working on that car or if there hadn't been any witnesses. What if she had hit a child and thought it was nothing and drove on her merry way?
  • KellyB
    -- Nonmember comment from

    KellyB

    May 30, 2012 at 4:27 PM
    Lilac, I absolutely agree with that. Cars can be weapons, and I bet even this poor lady now wishes there had been some kind of re-licensing requirement if it could have prevented this. That'd be a great cause for someone to take up.
  • Kevin...
    -- Facebook comment from

    Kevin Scott Karsthuntr Davis

    May 30, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Back into your parking spot every time. You can see if its clear before you back in and then when you pull out you can see whats in front of you. It is also a good idea to walk all the way around your vehicle before you get in, you can make sure all the tires are inflated and that there are no majors leaks as well as seeing that nobody is laying under the front of the car.  


  • rose6572
    --

    rose6572

    May 31, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    1. Walk all the way around every time. 

    2. Any and all kids have to stand by the front door (not in front of the car) while I am backing out.  When I am out of the driveway, they are free to move. 


  • Stephie
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Stephie

    May 31, 2012 at 9:13 AM
    Why is there no laws on elderly being tested? Why are eye doctors not mandated to report to the DMV any patient that should no longer drive? I know there are arguments about it not being fair BUT there are a whole lot of injuries,deaths and nonsense car repairs each week due to a driver that can barely see.
  • Lovie...
    -- Facebook comment from

    Lovie Santiago

    May 31, 2012 at 9:38 AM
    Aww..poor lady..I feel bad for her..
1-10 of 16 comments

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