* Just a day prior to the Santa Monica tragedy, a 72-year-old Sarasota woman was killed when her elderly husband pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake, running her over in their driveway.

* In November 2002, an 84-year-old North Port woman was cited for careless driving and was recommended for driver re-exam after police say she hit three cars in San Pedro Catholic Church's parking lot. The woman crossed a grass area and hit three cars; a 79-year-old owner of one of the vehicles was transferred to the hospital. The 84-year-old told police she couldn't see because the sun was in her eyes.

* In March, a 15-year-old North Port boy escaped with minor injuries when his bicycle was struck by a 1996 Ford van driven by an 85-year-old Venice man who was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian at a traffic light.

* In April, a 72-year-old man escaped injury when his 1997 Lincoln struck the Eckerd Drugs building on Tamiami Trail. The incident happened when the North Port man attempted to pull into a parking space in front of the store. Instead of hitting the brake, he hit the accelerator.

* Over the summer, Joseph D. Pastore, 60, of Pinellas Park, told police he was trying to pass another car when he plowed into 20 bicyclists, injuring 13. Police are investigating whether Pastore, who carried a cane and has a disability license plate, was impaired or suffered from a medical condition.

* In July, a 57-year-old woman crashed through China City restaurant in Schoolhouse Square when she stepped on the gas, thinking her car was in reverse when it was in drive.