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Do you think that there should be a maximum age limit to be allowed to drive. Or at least have a medical Exam. I personally think the elderly should be strictly screened medically . They do pose a risk to people on the road due to medical reasons. Any other opinions
From the Los Angeles Times
Car Plows Through Santa Monica Farmers Market
By Jesus Sanchez
Times Staff Writer
July 16, 2003, 3:01 PM PDT
A car barreled through a popular farmers market near the Santa Monica Promenade at about 2 p.m. today, leaving eight dead and more than 25 injured, according to Santa Monica police and fire officials.
Television images of the scene in downtown Santa Monica showed scores of injured lying on the street amid a jumble of crushed canopies, produce and flowers strewn along Arizona Avenue between Fourth Street and Ocean Avenue, near the city's popular Third Street Promenade.
Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Edward Osorio said about 25 pedestrians were injured.
"We heard there were 25 pedestrians down, through the radio dispatch, though it's not a definite number," Osorio said.
The injured were lying down on a red tarp as they awaited treatment in a light rain at a triage center where ambulances, firetrucks and other emergency vehicles had descended.
According to television accounts, a burgundy-colored automobile traveling westbound on Arizona Avenue at a high rate of speed "just mowed people down," one person told NBC-TV. An elderly driver was seen being taken away from the vehicle according to TV reports. A man was on top of the hood and another woman was trapped underneath when it came to a stop, witnesses said.
"No one could get out of the way," one woman told NBC-TV. "Down the street you could hear people screaming."
Ronald Gaba, who works for Acadie restaurant on Arizona Street said he was working inside when he heard screams from the sidewalk.
"During the time, there was a lot crying," Gaba said. "I came outside and saw one body covered by a cloth. I can't describe what is happening, it's something I've never seen before. I don't know who would do this kind of thing."
The incident lasted only a few seconds.
"Some people couldn't even attempt to get out of the way," Soussan said. Others were struck by the car and rolled from its hood, he said.
The Wednesday market occupies two blocks along Arizona Avenue in the oceanside city, bisecting its popular Third Street pedestrian promenade. It draws 9,000 shoppers.
Witness David Allwas told KABC-TV by telephone that he was in a nearby bank when the car plowed through the market.
"My friend was at the ATM and I heard it and I turned around and all I saw was this ... red car, just go right through the crowd, I mean there were people flying anywhere, I was shocked," Allwas said. "I had to call my parents just to get a grip."
He said the driver of the car was a man in his 70s and it looked like he might be having a heart attack.
"His arm was straight on the wheel and his body was stiff," Allwas said.
"You just have to pray because I saw this little girl get CPR and I saw this other woman who I think died," he said.
He said he saw 10 to 12 people bleeding and injured.
"I saw it right there, bam. I just missed it by a few seconds. And I was devastated, I couldn't breathe," Allwas said.
"There were people bleeding everywhere. ... There were people crying everywhere," he said.
_ _ _
Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2003, The Los Angeles Times
From the Los Angeles Times
Car Plows Through Santa Monica Farmers Market
By Jesus Sanchez
Times Staff Writer
July 16, 2003, 3:01 PM PDT
A car barreled through a popular farmers market near the Santa Monica Promenade at about 2 p.m. today, leaving eight dead and more than 25 injured, according to Santa Monica police and fire officials.
Television images of the scene in downtown Santa Monica showed scores of injured lying on the street amid a jumble of crushed canopies, produce and flowers strewn along Arizona Avenue between Fourth Street and Ocean Avenue, near the city's popular Third Street Promenade.
Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Edward Osorio said about 25 pedestrians were injured.
"We heard there were 25 pedestrians down, through the radio dispatch, though it's not a definite number," Osorio said.
The injured were lying down on a red tarp as they awaited treatment in a light rain at a triage center where ambulances, firetrucks and other emergency vehicles had descended.
According to television accounts, a burgundy-colored automobile traveling westbound on Arizona Avenue at a high rate of speed "just mowed people down," one person told NBC-TV. An elderly driver was seen being taken away from the vehicle according to TV reports. A man was on top of the hood and another woman was trapped underneath when it came to a stop, witnesses said.
"No one could get out of the way," one woman told NBC-TV. "Down the street you could hear people screaming."
Ronald Gaba, who works for Acadie restaurant on Arizona Street said he was working inside when he heard screams from the sidewalk.
"During the time, there was a lot crying," Gaba said. "I came outside and saw one body covered by a cloth. I can't describe what is happening, it's something I've never seen before. I don't know who would do this kind of thing."
The incident lasted only a few seconds.
"Some people couldn't even attempt to get out of the way," Soussan said. Others were struck by the car and rolled from its hood, he said.
The Wednesday market occupies two blocks along Arizona Avenue in the oceanside city, bisecting its popular Third Street pedestrian promenade. It draws 9,000 shoppers.
Witness David Allwas told KABC-TV by telephone that he was in a nearby bank when the car plowed through the market.
"My friend was at the ATM and I heard it and I turned around and all I saw was this ... red car, just go right through the crowd, I mean there were people flying anywhere, I was shocked," Allwas said. "I had to call my parents just to get a grip."
He said the driver of the car was a man in his 70s and it looked like he might be having a heart attack.
"His arm was straight on the wheel and his body was stiff," Allwas said.
"You just have to pray because I saw this little girl get CPR and I saw this other woman who I think died," he said.
He said he saw 10 to 12 people bleeding and injured.
"I saw it right there, bam. I just missed it by a few seconds. And I was devastated, I couldn't breathe," Allwas said.
"There were people bleeding everywhere. ... There were people crying everywhere," he said.
_ _ _
Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2003, The Los Angeles Times
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