A South Carolina woman was killed in a freak parking lot accident after she was hit by her own car, officials said.
Margaret McWeeney, 63, died Wednesday evening, June 10, outside Madison Ridge Apartments in Indian Land, South Carolina, according to Lancaster County Coroner Karla Deese.
Officials believe McWeeney got out of her vehicle in the apartment complex parking lot but accidentally left the transmission in reverse.
As the car began rolling backward, McWeeney tried to get back inside to regain control. But in the chaos, officials said she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake.
The vehicle then accelerated in reverse, striking McWeeney and several nearby vehicles before finally coming to a stop.
Deputy Coroner Joey Edwards responded to the scene, where McWeeney was pronounced dead.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is also involved in the case.
The tragic accident highlights the danger of backover crashes, which can turn deadly in seconds.
A 2008 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that an estimated 292 backover deaths happen each year. Those incidents often occur when a vehicle reverses into a pedestrian, bicyclist or someone outside the car.
The agency said people of all ages can become victims of backover accidents, but children under 5 and adults 70 and older face an elevated risk.
McWeeney was 63.
In case you missed it the first two times, McWheeney was 63.