Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Traffic Justice

Sidewalk-Jumping Driver Claims Children He Hurt Were “Reckless”

This fall, 90-year-old Edward Nelson lost control of his vehicle, jumped the curb, and pinned two six-year-old twins against a wall with his BMW SUV in Menlo Park, California.

Collision scene: In October a 90-year-old driver struck three boys walking on the sidewalk in Menlo Park, California. Now the driver claims the boys were behaving "recklessly." Image: ##http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2013/12/31/driver-responds-to-lawsuit-over-menlo-park-crash-that-injured-6-year-old-twins## Palo Alto Online##
Collision scene: In October a 90-year-old driver struck three boys walking on the sidewalk in Menlo Park, California. Now the driver claims the boys were behaving "recklessly." Image: ##http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2013/12/31/driver-responds-to-lawsuit-over-menlo-park-crash-that-injured-6-year-old-twins## Palo Alto Online##
Collision scene: In October a 90-year-old driver struck three boys walking on the sidewalk in Menlo Park, California. Now the driver claims the boys were behaving "recklessly." Image: ##http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2013/12/31/driver-responds-to-lawsuit-over-menlo-park-crash-that-injured-6-year-old-twins## Palo Alto Online##

One of the twin brothers suffered a broken arm. The other was hospitalized in critical condition; he wasn't released from the hospital until five weeks and multiple surgeries later. A third brother, 9 years old, was also injured in the collision.

Perhaps you would expect Nelson to be ashamed? Beg the family for forgiveness? Not so much.

In response to a lawsuit from the family, Nelson's attorney has accused the boys of "reckless, careless and negligent" behavior. According to The Almanac, the family is seeking damages from Nelson, a retired attorney, for the injuries and emotional trauma the boys suffered. Some of the injuries may be permanent, they say.

Nelson's attorney claims the boys, "knowing the probable consequences thereof, placed themselves in a position of danger." And that the family failed to "reasonably mitigate" damages they sustained.

Meanwhile, The Almanac reports, Nelson’s license was confiscated after the crash and he was ordered to undergo an examination with the DMV. The Almanac reports that he only faces “a possible infraction” from local law enforcement since he was not intoxicated and his license was valid.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Buenos Aires Will Challenge Everything You Think You Know About Buses

The Paris of South America has an amazing bus system — but it doesn't run like North American ones at all.

March 13, 2026

Friday’s Headlines Change How We Keep Score

The way the U.S. measures traffic death rates skews public perception toward the status quo.

March 13, 2026

Talking Headways Podcast: Buildings are Here to Help People

Jeremy Wells on his book, Managing the Magic of Old Places: Crafting Public Policies for People-Centered Historic Preservation.

March 12, 2026

Bus Companies Say There’s a Better Way to Take a ‘Great American Road Trip’ This Summer

"Our eventual goal is to make inter-city bus travel every American's first consideration when they think about how to get from one city to the next."

March 12, 2026

Opinion: Make This Summer’s World Cup A Car-Free Paradise

NYC has a major opportunity to support people who don't drive during the World Cup. Could other host cities do it, too?

March 12, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines Can’t Keep Up

While other developed nations are building more transit lines as their populations increase, the U.S. is not.

March 12, 2026
See all posts