Victim of freak car wash accident in serious condition | Police considering award for witness who came to his aid

Victim of freak car wash accident in serious condition | Police considering award for witness who came to his aid

The man whose legs were crushed by an SUV at the Elephant Super Car Wash last week was listed in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center on July 6.

Solomon Tacher, 74, of Bellevue was struck by a Ford Expedition and pinned against his Lexus crossover while bending into the vehicle’s rear cargo compartment on June 29.

Witnesses said a car wash employee, identified by police as a 48-year-old male, was moving the SUV to a vacuuming station and appeared to have hit the gas pedal instead of the brake while trying to stop, causing the SUV to strike the victim and his parked vehicle.

Police said there were no signs of alcohol or drug involvement at the scene.

Tacher suffered life-threatening injuries from the accident. Witnesses, including Linda Huizingh of Bellevue and a medical student completing his residency at a nearby hospital, tied tourniquets to the victim’s legs before medics arrived.

Bellevue police have considered nominating Huizingh for one of the city’s annual citizenship awards, which are due to take place next around May 2010.