Saugus Police: Pedal mixup sends van through fence

SAUGUS – Police say Winter Street resident Rachel Sorrentino pressed the wrong pedal in her blue minivan Sunday morning, rocketing the vehicle across Central Street, over the curb and through the chain-link fence of the Saugus Youth and Recreation Department.Although the vehicle maintained enough speed to break a signpost after striking the fence, Lt. Ronald Giorgetti said Sorrentino had obeyed the stop sign on Adams Street moments before the accident at 400 Central St.Giorgetti explained that the crash occurred just before 10 a.m. and said it was not the result of recklessness or operating under the influence. Therefore, no charges will be filed against Sorrentino.”It’s just a case of operator error,” he said. “She hit the wrong pedal.”Sorrentino was taken to Winchester Hospital for pain in her left side.Youth and Recreation Director Gregory Nickolas said he was driving home from church when he was notified of the collision.”We’re just grateful no one was here because we have kids that play here in the front,” he said, referring to the students attending the Creation and Learning preschool, housed in the same building.Nickolas added that he has met with Building Department officials and repairs will be completed by the end of the week.”The town will respond right away,” he said.