BRADENTON --
The elderly woman who killed three people when she accidentally backed into a crowd of people leaving a Manatee County church will not be allowed to drive for at least one year.
In court on Wednesday morning, Doreen Landstra, 79, pleaded no contest. She had her driver's license suspended for a year and was fined $1,000 and paid $106 in court fees.
If Landstra wants to renew her license in a year, she will have to go to driving school and meet other Department of Motor Vehicle requirements.
The crash happened Feb. 2 in the Sugar Creek Country Club 55-and-over mobile home community off Belinda Circle and Clubhouse Drive in East Bradenton.
Witnesses said Landstra appeared to think she put her large Chevrolet sport utility vehicle in "drive," but instead she shifted into reverse and backed through the clubhouse parking lot, hitting seven people.
Johanna Dijkhoff, 80, died at the scene. Wilhemina Paul, 70 and Margaret Vanderlaan, 72, were both taken to Blake Medical Center, where they later died.
Troopers said there was no criminal intent in the crash.
However, some are questioning if Landstra should get her license back.
In 2011, the Brandenton Herald reported that Landstra once drove an SUV into the lobby of a McDonald's in Michigan after she hit the gas instead of the brake.
In that case, she was required to retake her driver's exam.
Wilhemina Paul's husband, John, was in the courtroom Wednesday.
“I have no anger against Doreen and I forgive her," he said. "It was an accident. She didn’t mean to do it.”
While he said he forgives Landstra, he doesn’t think she should ever drive again.
“She should have had her license removed immediately and she should have stopped driving years ago," he said. "That’s the reason for the tragedy.”
John Paul said the couple had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Landstra and her family refused to comment on camera and only said they were heartbroken over what has happened.
