Car Slams into Valley Building, 2 Injured

A woman was hospitalized with minor injuries she suffered today when an 85-year-old man mistakenly stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake and slammed his car into an Encino office, a police sergeant said.

The crash at 5435 Balboa Blvd., just south of the Ventura (101) Freeway, was reported at 11:44 a.m., according to fire department spokesman Brian Humphrey and Los Angeles police Sgt. Kurt Smith of Valley Traffic Division.

"Basically, we have an 85-year-old man who misapplied the gas when he was trying to put on the brake," Smith said. "And he ended up crashing his car into an office where a woman who was working was slightly injured."

Humphrey said the woman who suffered minor injuries was taken to a hospital. The driver was not hurt, he said.

Smith said the driver was not cited, but his license to drive could be in jeopardy.

"We're going to notify DMV and give him an emergency reevaluation," Smith said. "He'll have to pass a driving test to keep his license."

Smith said they see this type of accident quite a bit with elderly drivers.

"In this case, it may be time for this gentleman to hang it up and stop driving," Smith said.

The crash occurred next to UEI College, prompting authorities to temporarily close one southbound lane of Balboa Boulevard, according to Humphrey and Smith.