December 19, 1972

Accident involves "driverless" car

       A driverless car, which evidently failed to stop running after its owner shut the key off, rammed the side of a house near Greenwood early today and caught fire, according to White River Township volunteer firemen. Firemen said a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro owned by Thomas Moody of Greenwood route four was damaged and estimated $1,600 in the accident. No injuries were reported. Moody had just parked the car in the driveway of his home at about 7:30 a.m. and had gone in the house with his car key when the car reportedly lunged forward about 10 feet, struck the side of a neighbor’s home and burst into flames. No damage estimate was made immediately on the house but it was not believed to be extensive. Firemen said the car evidently did not shut off when Moody turned off the key and was in gear, causing it to jump forward. They said the fire probably was caused by a backfire through the carburetor. The entire engine was reportedly destroyed. White River volunteers also made a first aid run Monday at 10 p.m. to the home of Jim B. Dorris at Greenwood route four. Dorris was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove by Myers’ ambulance suffering from a possible heart attack.(Reprinted with permission of the Daily Journal)

 

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