Mother killed, child hospitalized after car crashes into Mid-Wilshire building near school
LOS ANGELES - A mother is dead and her young daughter hospitalized after a car plowed into a building near an elementary school in Mid-Wilshire Tuesday, according to police.
The crash was reported around 8 a.m. in the area near Ogden Drive and Colgate Avenue near Hancock Park Elementary School.
Police said the 35-year-old mother and her 6-year-old daughter were walking to school - where the girl attended first grade - when they were hit by the 30-year-old driver, who then collided into a two-story apartment building.
The woman died at the scene. Her daughter was transported to the hospital in critical condition, officials said.
The 30-year-old driver was also taken to the hospital and was last listed in stable condition. On Wednesday authorities said the accident possibly resulted from a medical emergency. Police say the driver was identified and "remains out of custody at this time". Their identity has not been released yet.
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Crisis counselors are available at the school as needed.
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho released a statement following the incident, saying in part, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was involved in or witnessed the horrific traffic accident."
"Like tens of thousands of other parents in Los Angeles, I also walked my child to school today. It can be a terrifying experience, knowing that distracted drivers are traveling far above speed limits just feet from where our children walk.We need to address street safety in Los Angeles as the crisis that it is. That starts with ensuring that Hancock Park Elementary has a crossing guard at the intersection where the accident occurred. I will also be strongly supporting a motion before the Transportation Committee this week to install speed bumps around every elementary school in Los Angeles. Our families deserve safe, accessible routes to school, and it is my priority to make that happen," Councilwoman Katy Young Yaroslavsky said.
Parents and neighbors want to know why traffic safety measures were rolled back in recent years. Carvalho said in 2021 the city pulled a crossing guard from the exact site where the crash occurred.
"A month and a half ago I sent a letter to the city requesting the expedited staffing of the crossing guard program, and just last week, Friday, I testified before City Hall again requesting the expedited hiring of crossing guards," Carvalho stated.
He says more safety measures are needed around schools.
"There are no flashing lights around schools, there are insufficient crossing guards, there are no speed humps," he added.
Carvalho voiced his concern Wednesday at a transportation committee meeting. The committee voted on the speed bump program and now it goes to the city council for a vote.