Out-of-control vehicle strikes three at ShopRite
By STEVE PRISAMENT
Staff Writer
ABSECON – A 30-year-old local woman was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol after losing control of her vehicle and striking a pedestrian and two people in wheelchairs in the ShopRite parking lot around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 3.
Sharon M. Eberwine was driving in the parking lot when she swerved onto the sidewalk, police said, and struck the building and several shopping carts before veering back into the lot, where she struck the three people before turning around and stopping on the sidewalk by the entrance to the store.
“That was one of the worst places to have an accident,” Police Chief Charles Smith said. “There’s always a major possibility of injuries. It’s always congested with pedestrian traffic.”
The victims, who were not identified, were taken to the AtlantiCare trauma unit in Atlantic City. Two were released by Thursday, June 5, Smith said, and the third remained hospitalized after surgery on a broken leg.
“We’re not releasing any other information about the victims,” Smith said Thursday. He said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office is involved in the investigation and that there are further charges pending against the driver.
The chief said police reports indicated that the supermarket parking lot was typically busy at the time of the accident.
“We’re very lucky – although we’re still pending – that there weren’t a lot more serious injuries,” he said. “I’m hoping all the victims do recover.”
A witness who described the scene after the accident said the car came to rest surrounded by a crushed mailbox, two damaged wheelchairs, overturned shopping carts, groceries, and potted plants.
Local police participating in the investigation are Detective Kevin Craig and Patrolmen Chris Stoll and Robert Ponzetti.
Galloway Township and Atlantic City police assisted at the scene, the chief said.
Rescue squads responded from Absecon, Pleasantville, Galloway Township and Egg Harbor Township.
The Absecon Fire Department also assisted, police said.
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I hope the victims have an easy recovery. But even more maddening than injuring three innocent people(two who were in wheelchairs and couldn’t jump out of the way) she had her 3 year old daughter in the car. What that poor baby must have seen and heard…… skidding sounds, jumping curbs and running people over, people screaming, sirens, strangers everywhere….and for what?….
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I live down in Costa Rica. Car accidents are a major problem here, to the point that most people dies here because of car accidents every year. It is very difficult to control here because of police corruption.
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