A newlywed was killed and 11 other pedestrians were injured when a driver went on a rampage on Venice Beach’s popular boardwalk, according to ABC 7 Los Angeles. The driver, a 38-year-old transient, is under investigation for murder charges in the fatal car accident. He is in custody and being held on $1 million bail.
“He had to have pressed his foot to the gas, pedal to the metal, because his tires started screeching,” said witness Landon Blackburn. “I saw him, and he was looking for blood. That guy, his intention was to kill people.”
Authorities expect that once the investigation is complete, more charges will be filed against the alleged perpetrator. They are still unsure as to his motives but are conducting a toxicology test to determine if drugs or alcohol may have played a part.
The newlywed who was killed was 32 and from Italy. She and her husband had only been married two weeks. They were on their honeymoon.
“It was just really sad to see because that guy was just sitting down to her left just talking to her at first,” said Richard Ruiz. “Right when I got there, she was speaking a little. But after that, the next thing you know she just stopped talking.”
In the aftermath of this tragedy, a Los Angeles City Councilman, Mike Bonin, has called for more barriers, known as bollards, to be put up to prevent non-emergency vehicles from entering the boardwalk, which, this malicious act aside, drivers mistakenly drive onto several times a day.
“I think this is a case where a tragedy has shown us a vulnerability, and it gives us an opportunity to act and use some common sense,” Bonin said. “I don’t think that the bollards would do anything to impede the flow of what’s supposed to be an oceanfront walk.”
Our national accident attorney protects the rights of the victims of accidents such as this and always fights to see that those at fault are held accountable for all the pain and suffering they have caused. For more information on car accidents or to discuss your case with one of our attorneys, contact us for a free consultation today at (866) 377-3800.
[Did You Know?: Alcohol impairment was reported in 47 percent of the traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian death.]
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