‘Careless driver’ topples Walmart shoppers

See why witnesses said that bumping the couple wasn’t the driver’s worst mistake …

In the marked crosswalk at the Walmart store in the 4200 block of SE 82^nd Avenue, witnesses say a car backed into two shoppers exiting the store.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In the parking lot of a busy retail store, it’s typical for minor accidents to occur.

Just before 10:00 p.m. on June 12, in the parking lot of the Walmart store on SE 82^nd Avenue and SE Holgate Boulevard, a driver hit and knocked over two shoppers coming out of the store’s west entrance.

Purchases made by the struck pedestrians remained strewn across the crosswalk, while officials continue their investigation of this unusual accident.

“The woman screamed when the guy backed out of a parking space and knocked her, and a man she was with, over,” said Damien Clawson, who said he witnessed the accident. “Their groceries went all over the place.”

But, instead of stopping to render aid, “It looked like the guy was going to drive away – but a security patrol stopped him,” Clawson said.

Police protect evidence at the scene, while the investigation continues.

Because the man and woman were not English speakers, emergency responders had difficulty assessing their injuries before, and during, their trip to OHSU.

“No traumatic injuries were reported, and driver was cited for Careless Driving,” said Portland Police Bureau Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

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