Police identify elderly driver

The 93-year-old man, who drove 3 miles with a victim on his windshield, loved to drive, police say.

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 20, 2005

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ST. PETERSBURG -- At 93, Ralph Parker still had one great joy:

He loved to drive his car.

"That was the one thing he had," said St. Petersburg Police Officer Mike Jockers. "Just drive for the sheer enjoyment of driving."

It was while driving Wednesday night that Parker's joy turned to horror.

Investigators say Parker hit a 52-year-old pedestrian crossing 34th Street S.

The collision severed the man's leg. Parker drove three miles with the body stuck in the windshield. He was finally stopped at a Sunshine Skyway tollbooth.

When asked what happened later, he told police the man dropped from the sky.

"Obviously, he was confused," Jockers said, "incredibly confused."

Police investigators say it is unlikely that Parker will face criminal charges.

The name of the victim was withheld Thursday, pending notification of relatives.