LAist: 3 Seriously Hurt After Car Turns into Pedestrians

phdiaz

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:39:56 -0800

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.

Zach Behrens

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:41:55 -0800

@benh57, DA's decided not to prosecute because I was not hurt, but the Sheriff's said she was going to lose her license.

benh57

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:55:36 -0800

@Zach, she was prosecuted, i hope?

RyZiggity

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:57:21 -0800

how about: "3 Seriously Hurt After Car Strikes Pedestrians"

GarySe7en

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:31:01 -0800

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.

Zach Behrens

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:48:29 -0800

Hey RamonDestroys, Thanks for the comment. I used to live/work up there, but no longer. I'm Sherman Oaks now and 100% LAist.

RamonDestroys

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:42:50 -0800

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.