Police photos show Margaret Goebels’ Pontiac after it smashed into a Sandy Lane house last week from the outside. Photos courtesy of the Fairview Park Police Department.

Car smashes into Sandy Lane house in Fairview Park
By Kevin Kelley
Fairview Park
Published Oct. 14, 2009

An 87-year-old driver backing her car out of its Sandy Lane driveway Oct. 7 lost control and smashed into a house across the street, police said.

According to the Fairview Park Police accident report, Margaret Goebels believed she was stepping on the brake, but instead hit the accelerator. The 2002 Pontiac Grand then rapidly accelerated backwards, crossed Sandy Lane, then backed across the front lawn of Donna Kohut and into her front door, the report said.

No one was in the house at the time of the accident, police said.

“She just hit the accelerator and just kept going,” Fairview Park Police Chief Patrick Nealon said.

“The vehicle came to rest halfway into the house,” the police report said.

Goebels was not injured but had to be helped out of the car, police said.

Nealon said the police report will be forwarded to Fairview Park Prosecutor John Castele, who will decide if any charges will be filed.

The Pontiac come to rest well into the Sandy Lane house.