An Ohio woman has told a judge that the reason she hit a pedestrian in an accident last August was that she was praying behind the wheel.
The Christian Post reports Marilyn Perry, 62, was driving through Bellevue, Ohio when she struck 50-year-old Pamela Beckham who was helping her grandchildren exit her car parked in front of the town’s library. The accident caused Beckham to roll onto Perry’s windshield and suffer a broken neck and other injuries.
An investigation showed the Perry was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and was not using her cell phone at the time of the accident. Perry now says she was going through a difficult time in her life, and was praying in the car, sometimes closing her eyes or bowing her head.
Perry has been charged with vehicular assault though she will not receive a prison sentence.
Bellevue police are unsure if Perry was indeed praying, but have discouraged anyone from acting in a similar manner behind the wheel.
An official said, "...it could be possible but nothing like that was said at the time, but very possible that it could have happened. Praying is not a problem, most definitely do that, that is fine, but do not be taking your eyes off the road, especially putting your head down."
Publication date: July 24, 2015