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Three men in their mid twenties were crossing a Roscoe Blvd. at Louise Ave. in Northridge this morning when a car making a turn ran into them. "They all suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries," Ron Myers at the LA Fire Department said of the three who were sent to the hospital.
Myers noted this sort of auto vs. pedestrian incident is pretty common. "Everyone is watching traffic, you gun it when space has opened up and don't notice the people until the last moment." Yup, that happens way too often. Even this writer was victim to that a few years ago (story below).
Auto Vs. Pedestrian: Surreal
By Zach Behrens, February 7th, 2006
I was sore to begin with. A post holiday run at the Pacific Shoreline Marathon 5K on Sunday did that to me. Now I'm really going to need to rest.
Today while legally crossing the street at Valencia Blvd. and Citrus Ave in Santa Clarita on my way to City Hall, out of the corner of my eye I saw something move toward me. Then I was on top of that thing. Then I was on the ground staring at the driver. Then I was pointing to the parking lot for her to pull over and talk. Then she drove away.
I was shocked as it was. But when the car drove away, leaving me in the crosswalk, I was stunned - "Is this for real? Am I really in a hit-and-run?"
I'm lucky I was on top of the car rather than below. I'm lucky she didn't drive through me. I'm lucky I was able to stand up and walk. I'm lucky I got her license plate number.
Today was a red flag day, so when the police and ambulance came to City Hall, so did the fire department water truck.
I'm thankful for all the support I got from city staff who stayed with me through this. Even the Assistant City Manager gave a visit in the E.R. to check up on me. An all staff e-mail went out because rumours were spreading fast. It's all one surreal experience and I'm sure no one will ever want to park in the Citrus Lot for another few weeks (The Citrus Lot is our rotating overflow lot across the street).
Self defense mode must have kicked into gear fast because I wrote down her license plate down correctly. Sheriff's found the maybe octogenarian at her house where she apparently thought my pointing to pull over was a "No worries! I'm all good! Have a great day!" She must have been a little shocked too. How often do you make a left turn and all of the sudden someone is on your hood? Nevertheless, you hit someone, you pull over. Pedestrians don't win, even if I had the right-of-way to cross.
Weird thing is, I'm a pretty damn conscientious pedestrian. Traffic safety is one of my "things." I cross this street 5 days a week. I always keep an eye on "turn on red" drivers making eye contact with them. And when there is car that is going to make a left hand turn, I'll keep an eye on them. This time, there was no car waiting to turn left when the light turned green. I wasn't that far from the other side when I got struck. She must have caught the green and rode on through. I'll never cross a street the same.
After a long time in the E.R. at Henry Mayo Newhall hospital, I was released and drove back home. I'll have a check up with a doctor very soon. I'm still in more shock than pain at the moment, but a friend from LAist warned me: "I had a really good friend who was in an accident like yours and unfort. in like two-three days you're going to probably feel a lot worse than you do now." Alright! I can't wait. Bring it on!
So that's that. I have to give City of Santa Clarita employees props. It's truly a great City to work for. I can't imagine a better place to be hit outside of.
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Holy crap, here's to a fast recovery for those three folks.
And wow to your story, Zach. I had no clue you also live(d)/work(ed) in Santa Clarita. I'm around Valencia/Citrus often and see people blow through lights all the time.
Hey RamonDestroys,
Thanks for the comment. I used to live/work up there, but no longer. I'm Sherman Oaks now and 100% LAist.
Hope they all have a speedy recovery. Drivers need to chill out, there are way too many people accelerating into the "gaps" in traffic without a full assessment of what is going on. Sorry to hear you were also a victim in the crosswalk Zach.
how about:
"3 Seriously Hurt After Car Strikes Pedestrians"
@Zach, she was prosecuted, i hope?
@benh57, DA's decided not to prosecute because I was not hurt, but the Sheriff's said she was going to lose her license.
I'm actually blogging in Peru and I have to say, we have it easier in LA. Here, legally speaking, pedestrians have a right of way. How does it work? It doesn't, all cars take the right of way - they do not even think twice about clipping a police office - and i saw a female police officer 2 inches away from getting run over. she didn't even look at the driver after or try to pull them over. It's the way it is.
The fine is hefty here if you actually hit a pedestrian and get caught - so naturally, if they hit you, the go for broke, they either try to actually kill you or cause enough pain that you can't get up and identify them. You will never see the brakes applied.
The worst incident I've had here in the past 7 days occurred 2 nights ago. I was in Cusco and the light had turned green(it was late night around 10pm), I was the only one walking, but I was still watching for cars and I saw a taxi waaaay down the street. He started honking and I thought maybe he was trying to pick me up (90% of vehicles are taxis and will honk to see if you need a ride, the other times is to honk to get your attention- "i'm coming at you"), so i ignore it and right as i'm getting towards the sidewalk, he turns (no one uses signals here of course), honks and i could see him visibly upset that I was walking and not running out of his way. I barely cleared the car by an inch or two. I immediately turned around and kicked the taxi as hard as I could, causing a dent - but it was a shitty taxi(most are) already filled with dents, probably from others like me. Didn't phase him one bit, and he kept driving. the one other guy on the street just laughed as I yelled "asshole!" - especially since it was in English.
I don't normally kick a car after they've wronged me (sometimes tap when I can clearly see they are weak and not armed/crazy), but since everyone here is poor, they can't afford weapons and they don't want the trouble of getting out of the vehicle.