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