An elderly man accidentally hit the accelerator instead of his brakes, plowing into a line at an ice cream shop in Buena Park, killing 1 and injuring 6 others on Friday, April 25th. The deceased victim has been identified as Marisa Malin, 73, of Cerritos. The crash happened around 6:00 p.m. at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour on Beach Boulevard. Malin was pronounced dead around 6:33 p.m. at UC Irvine Medical Center.
The driver, an 81 year old man, was cooperative with authorities. After being detained for questioning, he was released Friday evening. Authorities believe the driver was going between 5 and 10 miles an hour, with witnesses saying the Suzuki XL7 lurched forward, hitting a small railing, and then the victims. Immediately after the crash, witnesses described the driver as being disoriented and bewildered.
Among the seven injured was Malin’s 13-year-old granddaughter, who was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center with moderate injuries. The other victims were a 40-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman, a 12-year-old girl, and an 11-year-old boy, who were all taken to local hospitals. The last victim, a 50-something man, was treated at the scene.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash.
