NHTSA Complaint #10478845 — 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY

I PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY TO PICK UP MY 4 YR GRANDSON. I LEFT THE CAR, WITH KEYS IN HAND, BUT LEFT THE CAR DOOR OPEN. I TURNED MY BACK TO THE DOOR TO WALK AROUND THE BACK OF THE CAR, AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS TOWARD THE STREET. I TURNED QUICKLY IN THE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL ATTEMPTING TO INSERT MY RIGHT LEG TO PRESS THE BRAKE. I HOPPED A FEW TIMES ON MY LEFT LEG, AS THE CAR DOOR WAS PUSHING ME BACKWARDS. UNABLE TO REACH THE BRAKE, THE FORCE OF THE CAR DOOR SLAMMED ME TO THE GROUND ON MY RIGHT BUTTOCK AND RIGHT SIDE. THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR SCRAPED OVER MY LEFT KNEE, LEAVING TWO GASHES AND BRUISED KNEE, SCRAPED UP OVER MY LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER, COMPRESSING MY SHOULDERS, CLAVICLE, CHEST CAVITY AND BASE OF SKULL (SHOULDER TO SHOULDER MEASURING 19") SO THEY WOULD FIT BENEATH THE DOOR (12" CLEARANCE).THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR DOOR IS CRIMPED WHERE "IT GAVE" INTO THE PRESSURE OF PUSHING MY BODY INTO THE GROUND. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL ACROSS THE STREET, UP OVER THE CURB, AND FINALLY STOPPED WITH THE REAR WHEELS ON THE SIDEWALK AND THE FRONT WHEELS STILL IN THE STREET AGAINST THE CURB. NO TIRES ROLLED OVER ME. WHEN MY DAUGHTER ENTERED THE CAR TO REPOSITION AND PARK IT, SHE FOUND THE CAR IN REVERSE, AND I HAD THE KEYS IN MY HAND. A NEIGHBOR HAD DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY, BUT WAS ABLE TO START AND PARK IT. I DROVE THE VAN TO MOHAWK HONDA, WITH BLOOD DRIPPING FROM ABRASIONS. THEY GAVE ME A RIDE HOME WHILE THEY REPLACED IGNITION CYLINDER, GAVE ME 2 NEW KEYS, TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS, AND CHARGED ME $555. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED SOMEWHERE, I WAS TOLD NO. I SAW THE NHTSA ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER TODAY 10/6/12. I HAVE A NO FAULT CLAIM, HEAD CT SCAN, CONTINUING PT AND THERAPY DEALING WITH PTSD AND CONSTANT HEAD AND NECKACHES .A BROTHER OF MY SON'S CLASSMATE WAS KILLED 4 DAYS AGO AS A DODGE CARAVAN ROLLED OVER HIM IN HIS DRIVEWAY. HE WAS 11 YR. *TR