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    NYC grandma, 87, crushed to death by own car sat in driveway for 20 minutes praying before tragedy, son reveals

    By Brigitte Stelzer, Allie Griffin,

    2024-04-12

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Kldis_0sO5eZNW00

    An 87-year-old Brooklyn woman who was run over by her own car Wednesday had been praying in the vehicle in her driveway for 20 minutes right before the deadly accident, her heartbroken son said.

    Joan Behan, a grandmother of 10 and devout Christian, had just returned home from a two-hour workout and stepped out of her blue 2013 Toyota Corolla after she finished her routine prayers, according to her son.

    But tragedy struck as she was walking behind her car, which she never put into park.

    The car rolled backward and crushed her in a freak accident outside her Gravesend home on West 10th Street at about 3 p.m., police said.

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    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1fybNd_0sO5eZNW00
    Behan was run over by her own car after she failed to put it in park in the driveway of her Gravesend home Wednesday. Obtained by NY Post
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2v3vL0_0sO5eZNW00
    Behan worked as a teacher’s aide and was a mom of four, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of one. Obtained by NY Post

    Behan suffered severe head and torso trauma and was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn but she couldn’t be saved.

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    The octogenarian was very active, healthy and sharp and went to the gym multiple times a week, her 60-year-old son said.

    “Before the accident yesterday, she just came home from a two-hour workout,” David Behan said.

    “She stayed in the car in her driveway for about 20 minutes to pray. She always did that.”

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    “Then she wanted to get out of her car when the accident happened and she died.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1qASii_0sO5eZNW00
    Behan had been sitting in her car praying for about 20 minutes right before she stepped out and the freak accident killed her. Robert Mecea

    Her son said she worked as a teacher’s aide when she was younger and had four kids, 10 grandkids and one great-grandbaby.

    “She made everybody’s life always very happy — no matter who she spoke to,” he said.

    “She had a happy saying about everything. Everybody loved her.”

    For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/

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    Comments / 207
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    Amanda
    05-08
    I know this is not related, but a 2 hour workout at 87?? Respect for her. Really sad this tragedy happened though.
    Ralph Chubb
    05-07
    My sister and I had to take the keys away from our parents too, sad it's a hard decision to make.
    View all comments
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