Elderly Driver Crashes Inside Brookfield Zoo: Cops

BROOKFIELD, IL — An elderly female driver crashed inside Brookfield Zoo at 9:23 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, Riverside Police said. The crash occurred on the Riverside side of the zoo, which is on the east end. When officers arrived, Brookfield Zoo Police were also on scene and the car was in a grassy area just south of the Roosevelt Fountain, which is in the center of the zoo. Police said the driver, an 84-year-old Riverside woman, was severely disoriented.

Paramedics were called and evaluated the woman, who refused medical treatment and/or transportation to a local area hospital.

Police said the woman had somehow driven past the gate into the zoo from the south gate on Gulf Road. She was able to get by the gates and drive into the zoo itself and crashed into a Holiday Magic setup and a pole that was in a pedestrian walkway area.

No pedestrians or zoo staff members were injured, according to police. Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the crash.

The driver told police she was trying to get to Ogden Avenue and was confused. Police said she was
originally stopped by the zoo police but after the officer walked up to the vehicle the car began to roll and then struck the large concrete post, which caused damage to her vehicle.

Police said the woman has a valid license, but is well-known to Riverside Police. She has been involved in two prior auto accidents in the last several months. Riverside Police had already sent a request to the Secretary of State for an evaluation of her driving privileges, however, so far, there has been no evaluation of her ability to drive.

The driver was cited for driving on sidewalk and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Police said they have contacted the Secretary of State and refiled an evaluation for driving privileges. Riverside Police have also contacted family members in an attempt to make sure that she does not continue to drive.

“I am very grateful this crash did not involve any visitors to the zoo," Police Chief Thomas Weitzel said in a release. "Without a doubt we avoided tragedy here and taking into consideration that we've had numerous contacts with her due to poor driving either due to age or that she may have a difficult time driving at night, is a major concern. My officers contacted the Secretary of State again, asking that her privileges be suspended or revoked based on her driving ability and that she should be retested before allowing to have a valid driver's license.”

Riverside Police were assisted in this investigation by the Brookfield Zoo Police.

Photos provided by Riverside Police Department.