by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright July 17, 2003
All Rights Reserved.

ushing the pedal to the metal, 86-year-old George Russell Weller plowed through Santa Monica's busy farmers' market, killing ten and injuring more than 50 bystanders, at least 15 critically, before mercifully crashing his 1994 burgundy Buick LeSabre into a parked car. Before Weller emerged from his car, he had left a swath of devastation comparable to Palestinian suicide bomber, proving, if nothing else, that ordinary automobiles can be lethal weapons. Eyewitnesses reveal that Weller, after visiting the Santa Monica Main Post Office at 5th St. and Arizona Ave., turned his vehicle westbound onto Arizona Ave. and proceeded toward 4th Street where he observed sawhorse barricades blocking access past 4th Street, where the popular farmers market stretched 2 blocks. Before Weller turned onto Arizona, he apparently traveled at a normal speed—seconds later, he floored his car.

      Eyewitnesses said Weller looked confused, disoriented and "in a trance-like state," while led away by police—symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Doctors at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical center found no evidence of drugs or alcohol, adding to the mystery. "His statement is, he possibly hit the gas instead of the brake," said Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. "He said he tried to brake and he couldn't stop the vehicle," making absolutely no sense, since bystanders saw Weller mowing down crowds at full throttle. Some speculated that Weller must have had a stroke or heart attack, though authorities released Weller without any obvious medical condition. After a brief interrogation, Santa Monica Police released Weller to his family, pending an ongoing investigation. After killing ten and maiming dozens, authorities were still uncertain whether to file charges.

      All indications suggest that Weller was neither having a stroke or heart attack nor under the influence of drugs or alcohol. "How many people did I hit,” asked Weller, immediately after removing his seatbelt and exiting his vehicle, according to John Ellis, a 68-year-old building manager. "It wasn't even a question," said Ellis. "It seemed more of a statement." When Chief Butts arrived at the scene, Weller "was talking and appeared confused," though Butts said "he was speaking and he was lucid. He was very calm," suggesting that Weller was not especially affected by the incident. Trying to make sense of the accident, forensic traffic accident expert Daniel Vomhof noted certain accidents where drivers confuse brake and gas pedals. That, of course, doesn't explain why Weller floored his car after completing his turn onto Arizona Ave. and didn't stop for 2½ blocks until crashing into a parked car.

      Vomhof suggests that confusing brake and gas pedals occurs at any ages, but occurs more frequently in unknown cars, like rentals. "One thing compounds upon the last thing and so things go from bad to worse instead of bad to better," said Vomhof, noting that cars don't stop until eventually crashing. Describing Weller as a kind and religious man with no history of erratic behavior, Weller's neighbor of 35 years Ann Gurfield was in disbelief. Neighbors' accounts typically miss subtleties, especially related to latent forms of mental illness or brain deterioration. Conditions like vascular [impeded blood supply] dementia or Alzheimer's disease don't give a lot of clues until regrettable incidents occur. Flanked by his attorney and grandson shortly after released by the police, Weller declined to answer reporters' questions, showing he was lucid enough to have his attorney present.

      Refusing to talk with the press, Weller already showed that he's competent enough to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Having killed ten and injured scores more, Weller made no effort to apologize directly. "This was an unintentional and unfortunate accident. Mr. Weller is very upset, but his thoughts are with the victims and their families," said Weller's attorney James Bianco, engaging in some carefully scripted damage control. Bianco can't have it both ways: Having Weller too "upset" to speak but but capable of instructing counsel to do all the talking. "We are trying to determine if this was a straight accident, a medical accident, negligent homicide or criminal homicide," said Butts, shortly after releasing Weller without filing charges. What's known is that Weller acted nonchalantly, expressing little concern for victims or their families. His attorney's statements don't undo the damage.

      Giving Weller a pass simply because he's elderly ignores his responsibility as a licensed driver. As long as he gets behind the wheel, he's responsible for the death and mayhem caused by his actions. It's inconceivable that Weller's lapse was only due to "accident and misfortune," two criteria needed to absolve him of criminal wrongdoing. Absent medical findings proving stroke, heart attack or other disabling conditions, Weller must stand accountable his actions. When he hit the accelerator and mowed down the crowd, his vehicle became a lethal weapon. No matter what his friends and family report, without verifiable medical proof, some element of voluntary control caused the mishap. Inexplicable events simply can't explain how this mild mannered senior citizen suddenly turned into a dangerous killer. Without a legitimate medical excuse, "no accident or misfortune" could cause this kind of carnage.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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