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On
July 22, 2003, the Santa Monica Police Department and the California
Highway Patrol are announcing this update to the Farmer’s Market
Investigation.
On
July 16, 2003, at 1:47 p.m., the Santa Monica Police Department
received a call of an accident at 2nd St. and Arizona Ave.
A 1992 Buick traveling westbound on Arizona Ave. from 4th St.
drove through the two blocks of the Farmer’s Market striking
numerous pedestrians and demolishing several stands. The result was the largest loss of life and the largest
number of injured in a single event in the history of Santa Monica.
The casualty total is now 79 persons.
Amongst the casualties were 10 pedestrian fatalities that
included a 3-year-old child and a seven-month-old infant.
On
July 17, 2003 Santa Monica PD requested and received affirmation that
the DMV has suspended Mr. Weller's driving privileges
effective July 21, 2003.
Over
275 public safety and emergency personnel responded to the scene to
care for and transport the injured to local hospitals. Numerous
civilian good Samaritans helped in any way they could in the immediate
aftermath of this tragedy.
Over
290 witnesses have been interviewed by SMPD and CHP. Both agencies
have served six search warrants so far in connection with this case
and more than 43 persons are still being sought for interviews.
The
CHP Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is
inspecting Weller's vehicle to determine any possible mechanical
malfunction as part of the post-crash reconstruction.
The
investigation is ongoing and should be completed in approximately six
weeks. At the conclusion
of this investigation, a decision will be made as to what charges, if
any will be filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s
Office. No additional information will be released regarding this
investigation until then.
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