Author's Widow Uninjured in Crash into Hamilton Bank

Photo credit: First photo, Hamilton Fire Chief Phil Stevens. Second photo, Hamilton Police Department

The widow of Pulitzer Prize winning author John Updike was uninjured Thursday when she crashed into the front of Bank of America at 15 Walnut Road in Hamilton.

Martha Ruggles Updike, a Wenham resident, “failed to use care” when she was entering a handicap parking space in front of the Bank of America location at the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing, a police report reads. The crash occurred just before 11 a.m.

“I’m very embarrassed, humiliated,” Updike said. “I can’t believe this happened, but I’m perfectly fine.”

Updike accelerated rather than braking as she entered the spot and crashed over the curb and into the front of the building. No one was injured inside the bank, according to police.

“I was going so slowly. My car has to be repaired but not much and the glass at the bank has to be repaired,” Updike said. 

The police report does not indicate that any charges have been filed.

Salem News reported that Updike, 77, lived in Beverly with her husband until his death in 2009.

A representative with Bank of America said the location is open Friday and the ATM was expected to be back in operation before 11 a.m.