Friday, February 6, 2015

TWO MORE ELDERLY PEOPLE MOWED DOWN WHILE THEY WERE WALKING IN THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK. SITE OF REDONDO BEACH, CA DEADLY BUS CRASH KNOWN FOR NEAR-HITS



 

TWO MORE ELDERLY PEOPLE MOWED DOWN WHILE THEY WERE WALKING IN THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK.  SITE OF REDONDO BEACH, CA DEADLY BUS CRASH KNOWN FOR NEAR-HITS


February 6, 2015

REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA:


Redondo Beach Police on the scene of a fatal bus crash at the corner of Avenue I and Catalina Ave. Two pedestrians, one man was killed and and woman was taken to the hospital.


Business owners facing the Riviera Village crosswalk where a bus struck two pedestrians Wednesday night, killing one, questioned if more safety measures are needed at an intersection they say has long been unsafe and poorly lit.


The couple crossing Avenue I just east of Catalina Avenue about 6:15 p.m. were hit and then trapped underneath a Los Angeles Department of Transportation commuter bus after it turned east off of Catalina Avenue. Allen Shall, 83, of Torrance, died at the scene. His wife Lynn, 70, was extricated and is in serious condition in an intensive care unit at a local hospital. Details about her injuries were not disclosed.


Police continue to investigate but said that driving under the influence is not suspected. It appears to be a tragic accident, authorities said.

The accident came as little surprise to Justin Taylor, whose family owns Grace and Greene, an eco-friendly boutique steps from where the crash happened in the quaint shopping area of Riviera Village.


“I’m surprised there haven’t been more accidents,” he said. “I’ve seen people almost get hit by cars and cars almost hitting each other frequently. Every day, cars are honking at each other.”

Taylor and several other shop owners near the intersection said the Village as a whole is not well lit, and cars often struggle to see pedestrians due to the poor lighting, large planters and other streetscaping at every corner.


“I think the driver just did not see two elderly people in the crosswalk. I think it was truly an accident,” said Michelle VonKannon, who owns The Monogram Shoppe, which faces the scene of the collision. “There’s not a lot of light, and I think it was just the wrong place at the wrong time. I feel sorry for everyone involved.”


Redondo Beach investigators said they still have not determined if the couple were already in the crosswalk when the bus turned, or if they walked out in front of the bus.

The bus was on its route at the time of the crash, but no one on board was injured, according to Tina Backstrom, an LADOT spokeswoman.

Police said they will review the dashboard camera inside the bus, which shows the view of the driver, she said.


“LADOT is deeply saddened by the unfortunate traffic collision,” Backstrom said. “LADOT and (bus operator) MV Transportation are cooperating fully with the Redondo Beach Police Department and will supply any information needed for the investigation.”

The driver cooperated Wednesday night and was released by police, she said Thursday.


Lindsay Shelton, manager of HT Grill across the street from where the collision happened, said she and several others witnessed the crash during the busy dinner rush, but many people were not able to provide much detail.

“We were all here, but it happened really fast,” she said. “I don’t think any of us had time to register what was happening.”


Shelton said the intersection has been known for incidents — a female bicyclist was hit by a car there last summer, but she walked away — but nothing as serious as Wednesday night.

The intersection is controlled by a flashing red light on Catalina and stop signs on Avenue I.


Police said the intersection has not been known as the site of any major vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents in recent years. More specific data for that area was not immediately available.

“I don’t know what else they could do. It’s not busy enough for a full stoplight,” Taylor said.


But shop employees, including Anita Sweatt, pondered if something could be done — perhaps speed bumps along Avenue I or even a lighted crosswalk.

“I’ll take anything if it’s going to save a life,” Sweatt said.