Ferrari crashes into building — twice

A 93-year-old New Fairfield woman on her way to a ballroom dance class jumped the curb with her car and slammed into the brick exterior wall of the studio before throwing the car into reverse and crashing it into the building for a second time. less A 93-year-old New Fairfield woman on her way to a ballroom dance class jumped the curb with her car and slammed into the brick exterior wall of the studio before throwing the car into reverse and crashing it ... more Photo: Rob Ryser Photo: Rob Ryser Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Ferrari crashes into building — twice 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

DANBURY, CONN. — 93-year-old Thelma Ferrari was on her way to a ballroom dance class when she jumped the curb with her car and slammed into the brick exterior wall of the studio before throwing the car into reverse and crashing it into the building a second time.

Ferrari told an eyewitness Tuesday night that she was not in pain moments after the bizarre crash at the Arthur Murray Dance.

"I heard a bang and I came outside and I saw the car shoot backwards -- I have never seen anything like it," said Anthony Pisano, 65, of New Milford, who was taking a private lesson in the studio when the accident happened. "I brought her some water to calm her down."

The accident happened in the parking lot next to the rear entrance of the dance studio shortly after 7 p.m.

After driving into the brick wall with such force that her front license plate remained lodged in the hole, Ferrari apparently overcompensated in reverse gear, traveling backwards in a circular motion, witnesses said.

The back end of her car struck a van as her car continued to circle backwards until it smashed into a recess in the building filled with garbage containers.

Ferrari appeared dazed but otherwise alert as she spoke with paramedics. In the parking lot, stunned bystanders tried to fathom what had happened.

"I was teaching a class inside and I heard a bang!" said instructor Pier Vasquez. "I saw her car backing up very aggressively, hit that van, and then I didn't see anything that happened around the corner."

Dance instructors said Ferrari is a well-liked regular at the studio.

"She is smart and funny and she is a great dancer," said instructor Andrew Babell. "And she has all kinds of stories from the old days."

After Tuesday night, she will have another story to tell, witnesses said.