GREENFIELD — A mix-up between gas and brake pedals led to an unusual sight at Cherry Rum Plaza Wednesday afternoon, when a silver Toyota Corolla went over the embankment near Bernardston Road.
The vehicle’s driver, 91-year-old Theresa “Grace” Menard of South Deerfield, said she was parking her car at the plaza for a dental appointment when the accident occurred.
“I was straightening my car out and hit the wrong pedal,” Menard said.
According to Greenfield Fire Lt. Andrew Eisch, the accident occurred at around 1:45 p.m. Greenfield fire and police departments responded, along with MedCare, though Eisch said the initial 911 calls described the accident as a rollover.
Menard was already out of the vehicle when first responders arrived, Eisch said. Menard said she was unharmed, besides a scraped knee, and declined transport by MedCare.
The car landed on a galvanized pipe from a chain link fence, which Eisch said entered the engine compartment. As Byrne Towing employees hoisted the car back into the parking lot and then onto a tow truck, it seemed to have sustained minimal damage.
Menard noted her thankfulness not only for the first responders, but for a stranger who stopped to help her from the car.
“It just happened and she was right there,” she said. “She must have been driving by and stopped immediately.”
“Everybody’s been so good to me,” Menard continued, referring to the first responders’ kindness. “An accident happens to you and they’re all so helpful.”