Elderly Woman Dies after Unmanned Car Runs over Her

PALESTINE � A Palestine woman is dead after her unmanned car ran over her in the parking lot of a Palestine Post Office. KETK reports Sumiko Coleman, 87, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police were dispatched Thursday morning just before 10:15 to the site at 1213 North Link. Upon officers� arrival, it was learned that a driver of a car drove onto the premises, allowed her husband to exit the vehicle, and moments later she left the vehicle herself while the vehicle was still running. The vehicle then, unmanned, started to back out of the parking space, apparently striking Coleman, knocking her to the ground. The vehicle then continued to back out of the parking space and ran over the her.

A witness at the scene reported seeing the woman fall in the parking lot, and observed the movement of the unmanned vehicle. It is unknown whether the vehicle was accidentally left in reverse, or whether mechanical failure happened. The vehicle was placed in park by an unidentified bystander prior to officers� arrival. An autopsy on Coleman was ordered. The body was due to be taken to Forensic Medical Management Services of Texas in Tyler.