84-Year-Old's Bank of America Run-In Results in Careless Driving Charge

An 84-year-old Sarasota woman faces careless driving charges after Florida Highway Patrol troopers say she drove her Toyota Avalon into a Bank of America building.

The crash occurred around 10:36 a.m. at the 5470 Clark Road branch, a highway patrol report said. Elizabeth Harthman, the report said, was pulling into a marked parking space outside the bank when she hit the gas pedal instead of the brake.

That action, the report said, caused Harthman’s car to accelerate “onto the front walkway area of the bank by the entrance doors.” The car ultimately struck the building before stopping.

Harthman was uninjured in the crash and no one else was either, troopers noted. She was, however, cited for careless driving. Alcohol is not considered a factor in the crash.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol

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