Friday, May 15, 2009
Indian Hill accident update
Here's the latest on the pedestrian accident on Indian Hill Boulevard after talking to Claremont police. The victims are Barbara and Noah Witt, family members of the city's Community Development Director Tony Witt. Barbara and Noah were rushed to Pomona Valley immediately after the accident. Barbara was treated and released last night. No word on the nature of her injuries. Five-year-old Noah was transported to another hospital where he is being treated in a pediatrics intensive care unit. He's listed in stable condition after suffering some chest and head trauma. Apparently, the driver didn't see the pedestrians. She was driving west on 10th Street and turned south onto Indian Hill when the accident occurred. Again, our thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery go out to the Witt family.
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The twinkly light crossing is an accident waiting to happen...virtually on a daily basis
ReplyDeleteTo the best of my knowledge it is the only one of its kind in California and I believe many drivers approach this intersection and are thoroughly confused. The driver involved in yesterday's accident was apparently not speeding, and hysterically upset.
The area is shaded during the day and a very dark section of Indian Hill at night. Does it not seem odd that the PD would choose this intersection to routinely radar speeders which is an acknowledgement of the fact that the poorly marked crossing is situated at one of the most dangerous spots on Indian Hill. Let's get a stop sign installed there or a signal. There is a park, an elemenatary school...how much more justification do we need? How many more tragedies? I have witnessed three and know there has been one death.
Prayers and Blessings to all involved! The Witts and the Driver are all in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMay 14, 2009
ReplyDeleteDear City Council Members and Staff,
I have lived on Indian Hill Blvd., across the street from Memorial Park, for nearly twenty years. I have seen many automobile accidents where drivers were injured, and I have unfortunately also have seen the aftermath of three individuals who had been injured or killed when cars have hit them.
The corner of Indian Hill and 10th Street is particularly dangerous---especially during mornings and afternoons. At those times, there is a lot of glare when one is driving to/from work, the Claremont Colleges, or while driving their children to/from school, due to the morning or afternoon sun. Mix this fact with hundreds of our children either walking/biking to or from Sycamore School, Claremont High School, El Roble, or OLA School, and we have a recipe for disaster.
The crosswalk is not very effective---when the yellow crosswalk lights are blinking, down there in the street, they are not easily seen by drivers due to the glare in the mornings and afternoons. Add to that traffic, pedestrians, and bicycles going every which way, and those little yellow lights are easily missed. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I have tried to cross in that crosswalk, with the little lights blinking and blinking, and drivers ignoring them completely.
Several years ago there was a pedestrian death in that crosswalk in the very late afternoon. I found this older gentleman laying in the street gutter, barely alive. He died a day or two later.
This afternoon I heard screams and cries for help, and walked outside to find a dear neighbor and her young son laying on the pavement, hit by a car turning left from 10th Street onto Indian Hill. I am praying that they both recover completely from this. I also pray for the driver, who was hysterical and will probably never get over this, emotionally.
All this said, I am dumbfounded that there still is no stop light on the corner of Indian Hill and 10th Street. I see that there is (rightly so) a stop sign at the inlet to Pilgrim Place, on Harrison. Would we not do as much for our children who have to cross a busy boulevard every single day?
Sincerely,
Sheryl Rhodes
Claremont, CA