Woman killed by Toyota that crashed into salon: 'Fantastic mom'
Charlene O'Connel (top left, in an older family photo) died Friday when a car crashed through the wall of a hair salon. By KVAL.com staffALBANY, Ore. - Getting a haircut at the Perfect Look Salon last Friday, Charlene O'Connel was having her hair shampooed when a car came crashing through the front of the building, pinning her between the sink and the car, according to police. O'Connel died a short time later at the hospital from internal injuries. How someone could have been hit and killed by a car while sitting at the shampoo sink at a hair salon is difficult to comprehend. "Just getting your hair done one minute, next minute you got a car just coming in," said Scott Masse, an Albany resident. "I can't imagine what was going through everybody's mind." Police say the driver, 79-year-old Margaret Zip, hit the gas instead of the brake. Police would not say whether charges were pending or not. The car was identified as a Toyota Camry, and the case remains open. O'Connel, 55, was a wife and mother of two girls. One of her girls is in college, the other is 14. Her cousin Sandy Wilson said O'Connel was devoted to her family. "A fantastic mom," Wilson said. "She's a mom, yeah, good mom." Wilson remembers favorite memories of her cousin and worries about O'Connel's husband and kids. "I pray they get through this," she said. "It's not easy losing a parent, especially when you are that young." - KATU sister-station KVAL in Eugene originated this report. |
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