One Person Seriously Hurt in Crash

Schumi November 20, 2012 at 10:25 pm

The second driver (Nissan 350Z) was drunk, speeding and in the bike lane. He hit the SUV (injured driver) as the SUV was pulling out of the parking area near Agoura Deli. Nissan traveling south bond on Kanan. I was traveling in fast lane on north bond Kanan and swerved to avoid spinning Nissan. If I would have hit the breaks instead of swerving into the right lane he would have crashed right into my car.

Jessica E. Davis (Editor) November 20, 2012 at 10:41 pm

Thanks for your account of this crash @Schumi. Glad you are OK.

No Name November 21, 2012 at 02:06 am

Guy seriously hurt had two dogs in his car. One dog had two cell numbers on his tag. Called and got a hold of his wife. Daughter was waiting to be picked up at Brookside. Family friend took the daughter home, got the dogs there too. Dad via helicopter was taken to UCLA Med Center. Officer said the speeding driver was doing in excess of 95 MPH. The driver that caused this was helped by medics, then appeared to be held up by police for about 20 minutes, placed into the police car, then released to the ambulance drivers. Dogs and daughter are fine and staying at the friends house and clearly a sleep over, mom is at UCLA with husband; no status update on how he is. Large number of witnesses all the way back to Oak Park noted this guy was speeding, totally out of control all the way down Kanan to the Agoura Deli.

Tina K November 21, 2012 at 03:50 am

First of all - how terrible! More so because it didn't need to happen, but I am not surprised of the location - it's awful to leave that shopping center and turn left. Would be nice if some good change came from this.

Marilyn Stefano November 21, 2012 at 05:50 pm

I totally agree about trying to make a left out of the malls - most of the time I drive through the mall down to T.O. & make a left to get in the left-turn lane on Kanan because of the awful continuous traffic on Kanan. The problem is that Kanan is curvy, so it's hard to see if anyone is coming south on Kanan till they're almost on you coming out of the driveway. I guess when those center dividers were first installed there was lots less traffic - but now something must be done to facilitate easier turns, without risking one's life!

David November 21, 2012 at 05:51 pm

Would be great if it was as simple as changing something to make that a safer left hand turn from the parking lot onto Kanan, but the real issue is that we live in a society full of a bunch of selfish, inconsiderate, irresponsible idiots like the driver of the sportscar. The driver of the SUV had a responsibility to safely pull out across Kanan. Unfortunately he completely misjudged the speed of the approaching vehicle. He should have easily been able to evaluate the situation given that he was sitting high up in the SUV thus he should have had an unobstructed view. I'm skeptical that the sportscar was really going 90+ at that point, but the combination of speed, possibly a distracted SUV driver (reportedly with two dogs in car) and who may have been in a hurry led to disastrous results. Was SUV driver wearing his seatbelt? Never heard of someone being ejected from a car with one on but I'm sure that its possible. I hope the SUV driver makes a full recovery and if the sportscar driver really was being that reckless I hope he spends many years behind bars and loses his right to ever drive a car again. Wake up people. So many drivers seem to lack simple common sense or even the most basic coordination required to operate a motor vehicle. I've lost count of the number near misses on my bicycle and in my car due to distracted (read: texting, talking on phone, dog on lap etc), or simply due to people haven't the basic sense of how to drive without endangering others.

John November 21, 2012 at 07:17 pm

From the pictures of the car & suv, serious speed was involved. I do not know all the details but I would expect the driver of the Nissan to have been throw from the car not the Suburban unless he was not wearing a belt. Hope he will be alright. I have had two customers involved in accidents at this same driveway. Both due to drivers using the bike lane as a third lane. Left hand turns from the shopping centers onto Kanan Rd. should be banned or traffic signal.should be put up.

Jessica E. Davis (Editor) November 21, 2012 at 07:35 pm

Several factors in this crash are under investigation, including speed and alcohol. Here is the full update: http://patch.com/A-zJTQ.

John November 21, 2012 at 07:42 pm

Thanks for the update Jessica.

Susan Tellem November 21, 2012 at 08:39 pm

Hey Marilyn - was trying to find an email for you! Send me an email at info@tortoise.com so we can reconnect! Susan Tellem

Schumi November 21, 2012 at 11:17 pm

David, you weren't there and have no idea what you are talking about! The driver of the SUV pulled out safely, didn't expect a guy to pass another driver in the bike lane at twice his speed. Don't blame someone, when you weren't there and didn't see anything!

PHILIP MAURICE HAYES November 25, 2012 at 02:53 pm

Thank you for every thoughtful and kind individual that assisted me in Oak Park this past Tuesday. For anyone that stopped to comfort, collect my animals or witness in any way. To the apt first responders, Sherrif's Department members, Firemen, Paramedics, air transport personnel and fine doctors and staff at UCLA Medical Center, may God bless and keep you in safety always. To my family and friends, Thank you, with all of my love. To those bystanders and merchants that selflessly chose to stand in the gap, I will attempt contact and to thank you personally, as soon as I am able. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and best to all of you this holiday season. You are all really something! God Bless, Philip Maurice Hayes.

John November 25, 2012 at 11:26 pm

Philip, so happy to see your response and wish a speedy recovery from the accident. Happy holidays to you and the family.

David December 2, 2012 at 08:36 pm

First, and foremost, very happy to see your are on the mend Philp. Very sorry for what you went through.
Schumi, I do in fact have a full understanding of the scenario. I was there. I drive a sportscar and an SUV, drive down that road at least twice a day, go to Agoura Deli on occasion and the Farmers' Market on Sundays. I also ride my bicycle in that very bike lane several times a week. I have a full understanding thank you very much. The whole premise of "defensive driving" is to expect the unexpected. If I didn't do so, I'd have hit a number of cars exiting that very driveway many times or have been hit on my bicycle by people who MISJUDGE MY SPEED as I approach. Not saying that its Philip's fault. Its primarily the fault of the Nissan driver. Just saying Philip MAY have been slightly distracted. At the time he exited that driveway it was pretty much when things get extra busy with traffic. ANYONE might have been hit but a few extra seconds to double and triple check before pulling out may have made the difference. Not interested in a debate here and perhaps my first comment was a bit of a "soapbox". What I am most interested in is people driving more safely. A number of my friends have been killed by reckless or inattentive drivers. I don't want the next one to be me or a loved one.

Schumi January 17, 2013 at 08:30 pm

Brian Birdsall of Oak Park was drunk, driving at 80 mph+, blew 2 red lights and passed cars in the bike lane before he slammed in the SUV. I could only imagine what carnage he would have caused if he managed to reach T/O Blvd.