Elderly Driver Says Spilled Coffee Caused Dangerous Collision With Pole

A 92-year-old woman exited her vehicle without a scratch after she crashed into a telephone pole on Main Street on Wednesday morning.

Hingham Police Sgt. Steven Dearth said her seatbelt saved her from potential  injuries.

“It was very nice to see that the woman was buckled up,” Dearth said. “We certainly believe the seatbelt kept her from becoming injured.”

The woman told officers she had spilled coffee on herself  and looked down just before she crashed her 2003 Audi A6T into the utility pole between Water Street and Winter Street at 9:16 a.m. 

A Hingham fire lieutenant who was driving behind her told police she did not hit the brakes before crossing the centerline and driving straight into the pole.

Live wires were exposed from the crash and an area of Main Street was closed for almost five hours before the scene was cleared. 

The woman was issued a written warning citation for failure to stay within marked lanes, police said.