Freak accident kills man in McDonald's drive-through

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - An elderly man from Strongsville was killed in a freak accident at a McDonald’s drive-through.

The accident happened Monday at the restaurant on Pearl Road in Strongsville.

The Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office said 86-year-old Richard Lowrie dropped his glasses or some change, while waiting in line at the drive-through and opened his car door to pick them up. He went to McDonad's, like he did most days, to get his wife coffee.

Lowrie then, apparently, hit the car’s accelerator and was dragged while hanging out of the car, the coroner said. The car continued on until it hit a wall, trapping Lowrie.

Construction worker Colin Hyle tried to rescue Lowrie. While police held down the brake, Hyle, who was operating a bobcat nearby, pulled the car away from the wall to free the man.

“What else would you do for that poor man, so I got him unstuck,” Hyle said.

The coroner said Lowrie died from blunt force trauma.

Lowrie's family didn't want to do an interview with NewsChannel5, but said he was a very nice man and they're shocked by what happened. He had just turned 86 on Monday.