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Charges likely to be filed against woman, 74, in fatal crash at Parma Heights concert

Posted at 1:16 PM, Sep 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-12 14:08:00-04

Charges are likely to be filed against a 74-year-old woman accused of plowing into several people in the parking lot of a community center last month, killing one.

Det. Sgt. Steve Scharschmidt said charges are possible for the woman who was leaving a senior citizen concert on Aug. 21 at the Greenbriar Commons recreation center when she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake as she was pulling out of her parking space. The crash was caught on surveillance video. 

RELATED: Parma Heights police investigate after driver backs into crowd of dancers in Parma

The woman, who has not been identified, drove onto a small dance floor in the parking lot at the center and crashed into the crowd. The woman reversed and hit another vehicle. 

Nine people were injured at the time of the crash. Kathleen McDonald, 61, of Parma, died two days after the crash, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.

A second woman, Nancy Gielas, 78, is in critical condition with fractured bones and head injuries, Scharschmidt said. 

"It's unfortunate," he said, "but she is responsible for all of this damage."

It was unclear what charges may be filed against the woman.

Joe Frolick, director of communications and public policy for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, said they are unable to discuss the case, but it is currently under review.