A woman in her 60s died after her own vehicle rolled backward and struck her in a Chick-fil-A parking lot in Moore, Oklahoma, on Thursday, October 15.
The woman had exited her vehicle without putting it in park, according to the Moore Police Department. The vehicle began rolling backward, knocking her down before striking her.
Moore police officers responded to the restaurant near Southwest 19th Street and Telephone Road around 6 p.m. The woman suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
The department initially reported the incident as an auto-pedestrian crash. On Friday, October 16, police updated their public statement to confirm that the woman had died.
Police Confirm Death
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In its Facebook statement, the Moore Police Department explained what caused the vehicle to move.
“At the time of the incident, the vehicle was not in park when the driver exited,” police wrote. “The vehicle began rolling backward, knocking the woman down and striking her.”
The department also expressed its condolences to the woman’s family and loved ones.
The original traffic alert identified the Chick-fil-A as the location of the incident but did not provide details about how the woman was struck. Those circumstances became clearer after police released their update.
Investigation Continues
Speaking with KOCO 5 News, Moore Police Department public information officer Clint Byley described the incident as an apparent accident.
Byley confirmed that the vehicle began moving after the woman stepped outside, leaving her in its path.
Police had not determined why she exited the vehicle or disclosed whether she attempted to stop it as it rolled backward.
“This is just a really sad accident,” Byley told KOCO, adding that the department’s thoughts and condolences were with the woman’s family.
The crash remained under investigation as of the October 16 report. Police had not identified any suspected mechanical malfunction or disclosed the vehicle’s make and model.
Preventing Vehicle Rollaways
The circumstances highlight a serious parking safety risk that can occur even when a vehicle appears to be stationary.
A vehicle left in drive or neutral can begin moving unexpectedly when the driver releases the brake. Depending on its position and the surrounding terrain, it may roll forward or backward without anyone operating the controls.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides vehicle safety information, including recalls involving unintended vehicle movement and rollaway risks.
Drivers should ensure their transmission is securely in park and engage the parking brake before leaving a vehicle. Confirming that the vehicle is stationary before opening the door provides another opportunity to identify a potential problem.
These are general safety precautions. Moore police have not reported that a vehicle defect or parking lot incline contributed to this incident.
The woman’s name had not been released as of Friday’s police update. Byley told KOCO that police were withholding her identity until her family had been notified.