Local Woman Killed When Driver Hits Gas Pedal Instead of Brake

A 45-year-old woman was fatally injured Monday when a motorist stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake and ran her over in the drive-thru at a Spring Valley dry cleaning business, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Pamela LeBlanc was walking out of the business at Campo Road and Bonita Street shortly before 11 a.m. as a 22-year-old woman was pulling into the drive- thru, which is adjacent the front door, according to CHP Officer Brian Pennings.

The driver saw the woman but inadvertently stepped on the gas instead of the brake, he said. After the car struck the woman, the motorist applied the brake, which caused the car to stop on top of her, Pennings said.

Bystanders jacked up the car and pulled the woman out from underneath, but she died at a hospital, Pennings said.

There was no evidence that drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, according to Pennings, who did not release the driver's name.

Pennings said an investigation would be conducted to determine if the motorist —identified by U-T San Diego as Allison Mulligan—would be cited or arrested.

-City News Service