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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Out-Of-Control Car Hits Gas Pump, Kills Woman

Associated Press

A woman putting gas in her car was killed Friday when the pump exploded after a 16-year-old driver lost control and crashed into the service station.

The boy was driving a Mercedes when it jumped the curb of a Shell gas station in this suburban St. Louis town about noon.

The car knocked over the pump that Jennifer Soshnik was using to refuel her Honda Civic. The pump exploded and when firefighters arrived, Soshnik, 22, was engulfed in flames, police said.

Automatic switches prevented the fire from spreading to underground fuel tanks, said station owner Bud Faron.

Soshnik’s 27-year-old sister was at the gas station, but escaped unharmed.

Police said charges could be filed against the boy on Monday.