The Princeton Packet

21 March, 1986

Princeton woman hit by car in center lot

Sheila Leyton, 74, of Bayard Lane was listed in fair condition at the Medical Center at Princeton Thursday with two broken legs and bruises two days after being hit by a car in the Princeton Shopping Center parking lot, Princeton Township police and a hospital spokeswoman said.

Police said the woman was walking between two rows of parked cars toward the rear of the Epstein department store when a parked 1986 Audi operated by Ellen Lefkowitz of Bouvant Drive “shot back” and pinned her against another vehicle, a 1971 Buick, owned by John Byrne of Belle Mead. The force of the collision made the Buick hit a third car behind it, a 1972 Datsun owned by the American Sew-Vac Center of the shopping center.

Police said Ms. Lefkowitz had started her Audi and had put it reverse with her foot on the brake Nil and the hand brake on when it jolted backward and hit Ms. Leyton. The victim suffered “very severe injuries both legs,” police said, and was transported to the hospital by the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad.

Ms. Lefkowitz’ car was towed to South Brunswick garage where its brakes will be checked, police said. The other two vehicles involved did at have to be towed, police said.

Patrolman Robert Nielsen is heading the investigation, which is still progress.

Staff photo – Jerry Millevoi

Sheila Leyton of Bayard Lane is attended to after being hit by a car in the Princeton Shopping Center paring lot Tuesday