10 at Bryan Jubilee hurt as car goes out of control
6/20/2004BRYAN, Ohio - At least 10 people were hurt last night when an 80-year-old man lost control of his car and backed into parade-goers at the annual Bryan Jubilee on East High Street here.
All the injured pedestrians were taken to Community Hospitals of Williams County, Bryan. A hospital spokesman said none of the injuries was life-threatening.
The identities of the injured were unavailable last night.
The driver, Luke Thaman of Bryan, said he lost control of his vehicle while backing out of a parking slot.
"I lost control of my car when my foot slipped off the brake and onto the gas," Mr. Thaman, the retired general manager for Bryan's radio station, said. "I feel pretty bad about this."
Mr. Thaman managed WBNO-AM and WQCT-FM since the mid-1960s.
The car swung around twice in reverse - striking several people about 6:30 p.m., Bryan police Sgt. Cliff Weigel said.
Four ambulances were dispatched to the scene, where paramedics set up a triage area to assess the injured.
The accident occurred at the end of the parade route as the event was coming to an end, Sergeant Weigel said.
The accident was under investigation.
The jubilee has been a community highlight in Bryan since 1946. For five days every June, the courthouse square is crowded with carnival rides, concession booths, and people.
The parade traditionally has been held on the final day of the festival.