SHAMOKIN - City police blame a stuck accelerator for causing an accident Friday, when a Coal Township man drove his car into an SUV and a stone wall and wedged himself between a tree and a large rock on the triangular plot at the intersection of Sixth and Independence streets.
Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II said Rudolph A. Kancianic, 84, and his son, Mark Kancianic, 51, both of 1231 W. Pine St., left the Downtown Medical Center, 239 West Commerce St., in the elder Kancianic's 1984 Pontiac sedan at approximately 2:40 p.m.
Witnesses heard the the vehicle's engine revving. The car accelerated forward, hitting the left side of the back bumper of a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT, owned by Karen Zarski.
The SUV was being used Friday by Anthony Zarski, 63, of Coal Township, who said he spoke with Kancianic in the medical center moments before the accident.
The Pontiac crossed a one-way street and hit a stone barrier wall, moving it less than an inch before continuing toward Sixth Street near Weis Markets and More than Hair Designs. The car knocked over a one-way sign, missing the memorial for Cpl. David Witmer, struck a tree in the triangular plot and bounced sideways into a large rock, moving it several feet and stopping between the two objects.
The front bumper and lights were smashed, the front tires were deflated and the front windshield was cracked. A hubcap, other parts of the car and mulch were scattered onto Sixth Street.
Tire imprints in the mulch and collision marks on the tree were visible. Shattered glass from Kancianic's car covered the road and wall minutes after the accident.
No charges
Both father and son were transported by AREA Services to Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where they were treated and released by 6 p.m., a nursing supervisor said.
Siko didn't know how much the rock weighed, but said the street department was forced to use a bulldozer to move it back into place.
Because the accident is being blamed on a mechanical malfunction, Kancianic will not be charged with any traffic violations.
Kancianic's car was towed from the scene by Anthracite Towing and Recovery, Coal Township.
Also responding to the scene were Shamokin Fire Department including Fire Chief Bruce Rogers, Shamokin Rescue Squad, Shamokin Fire Police, police Chief Edward Griffiths, Cpl. Bryan Primerano and Patrolman William Zalinski.