Former Well-Known Battelle Administrator Dies in Tragic Accident in CA

An 80-year-old driver in Livermore, CA accidentally drove through the storefront of an exercise facility, killing the woman and injuring five others.

According to news reports, Tuesday, Kathy Baker was at the health club in Livermore, when the elderly woman driver accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake on her Mercedes SUV, sending it rocketing through the front door and windows of the club. Baker later died at an area hospital. The woman had been trying park in front of the gym.

Baker worked at PNNL Battelle from 1984 to 1995 in various roles in project control, contract administrator and contracting officer. She was currently working at the Livermore National Laboratory as CFO (Chief Financial Officer).

Baker was well-known for her work at Battelle, in helping the company obtain important research projects, grants and other contracts to ensure continued discoveries and important work at the facility.

According to reports, Livermore released a statement that read in part from Lab Director Bill Goldstein:

"This is a tragedy for her immediate family as well as her lab family. Kathy was a special person and a valued member of our laboratory. It is hard to put into words just how much she will be missed."

Livermore police, said the Associated Press, do not suspect drugs or alcohol in the crash, and investigation will determine if charges will be filed.