Baby is 10th LA crash victim

The accident involved about 65 market shoppers and horrified bystanders

A seven-month old baby has been confirmed as the 10th victim of the Los Angeles marketplace crash, as an 86-year-old man faces possible manslaughter charges.

A three-year-old girl and a married couple were also among the victims of Wednesday's incident, in which the man lost control of his vehicle in a busy Santa Monica street.

A further 50 people were injured - 15 of them critically.

Russell Weller's Buick sedan veered off the road and into crowds at the popular Santa Monica farmers' market at about 1345 (2045GMT).

Eyewitnesses said people were thrown into the air after being hit by the vehicle, which reports suggest was travelling at up to 70 mph (112 km/h).

This is the single most horrific scene I have witnessed in 30 years of law enforcement James Butts, Santa Monica's police chief

One witness said: "I saw people being hit, knocked out, it was the worst thing I've seen in my life."

Santa Monica's police chief, James Butts, said Mr Weller did not test positive for traces of alcohol or psychoactive drugs such as antidepressants and hallucinogens after being taken for testing.

Shaken

Mr Weller was not arrested, but investigators were considering whether the case was "manslaughter of some type" and whether he was qualified to drive.

He was allowed to leave police headquarters late on Wednesday.

Crash scene in pictures

Mr Weller told detectives he tried to stop the car but hit the accelerator instead of the brake.

"This is the single most devastating and horrific scene of tragedy I have ever witnessed in 30 years of law enforcement," Mr Butts said.

Mr Weller's lawyer Jim Bianco, said Weller was deeply sorry about the "unintentional and unfortunate accident."

"He is very shaken up, but his thoughts are with the victims and their families," he said.

The accident has revived a wider debate over whether elderly drivers should be tested more frequently to ensure they are safe to drive.

Californian law says motorists over the age of 70 must renew their driving licenses in person rather than through the post and must undergo periodic vision and hearing tests.

But they are not obliged to take fresh road tests and there is no upper driving age limit.