While Maria Guadalupe Segura was describing the accident that killed her son Josh, the 13-year-old boy underwent a sixth operation on his right leg, which had to be amputated.
On March 30, Josh Mora crossed the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Orme Avenue on his way home from Hollenbeck High School; Around 3:30 p.m., the cars stopped to give the minor the right to pass, but the motorcyclist, who was moving at high speed, did not notice him.
From a strong blow, Josh’s right leg was knocked out, and his body was thrown several meters.
The motorcyclist, apparently a white male, also fell off a motorcycle that had passed about 80 feet away from him; however, he was able to get to his feet, got on his motorcycle and drove away.
Security cameras from a taco store near the scene captured an image of the suspect, but his face was not visible due to the helmet he was wearing.
Detective Daniel Ramirez of the Los Angeles Traffic Enforcement Division said they already have several leads that they are continuing to investigate, but he could not release any details.
they feel ignored
Friends, Josh’s family and residents of East Los Angeles gathered at the corner where the teen was hit over the weekend.
“What do we want? Justice! When? Now!” shouted dozens of people.
“Some people heard a strong bang and a nurse quickly came to my son when they saw what happened,” Segura said in a tone that was saddened by what had happened to her son. “His broken foot flew off at the corner of Whittier Street.”
Ms. Segura, originally from León, Guanajuato, asked the suspect in the accident to turn himself in to the police.
“This is the trauma we are going through. I don’t want this to happen to any family,” he added.
The mother believes that if the city authorities had already put up a traffic light from 2021, the date when a neighbor asked the authorities to do something, her son would probably be all right.
Some local residents have spoken out and criticized 14th District Councilor Kevin de Leon, who they say was contacted three times to install a traffic light at the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Orme Street but was ignored.
“Restless” corner
“Three times we reported the danger on this street by phone, because people do not respect the speed limit, do not stop, and the authorities do not give up,” said Nancy Garcia, a resident of the area.
In fact, Pete Brown of the counsel’s office admitted that they knew “historically” the intersection where Josh Mora was hit “has been problematic.”
“Councilmember De Leon has made it a priority to improve pedestrian safety throughout the city, but especially here in the 14th arrondissement where we have so many unprotected crosswalks,” Braum said.
“And that is why, in October 2021, he submitted a petition to the Department of Transportation to develop a multi-year plan and funding plan to improve the safety of these intersections.”
Even though the Boyle Heights area is home to only 2% of the population of Los Angeles, Whittier Boulevard accounts for over 70% of traffic accidents in the area, making it one of the most dangerous arteries in Los Angeles. according to Streets for All (SAFE)
there are more victims
Damian Kevitt, who does not live in the area but is the founder of a non-profit organization (SAFE), also lost his leg in an accident in February 2013.
Kevitt was riding a bicycle when he was hit by a car in Griffith Park (in a different area) and his body was blown away. He had to amputate his right leg.
“I’m here to say enough is enough!” Kevitt said. “This boulevard [Whittier] it is a racing track for high-speed cars; Josh was hit by a speeding motorcyclist, almost killing him as a result.”
The activist said that from 2013 to 2022, the 1.9-mile stretch of Whittier Boulevard, starting at Boyle Avenue, had 225 traffic accidents, in which 600 people were injured or killed.
There are eight schools in the area where Josh Mora was shot down, including elementary and middle schools.
Last year, Los Angeles experienced the worst traffic accident in more than two decades, with 312 people killed and more than 1,700 seriously injured, according to SAFE. Speeding is the main cause of traffic accidents.
In addition, 20,834 people were seriously injured or killed in Los Angeles in 2022. This is an increase from 51% over the past 10 years.
Pressure on law AB645
Protesters also began campaigning for Assemblyman Laura Friedman (D-Burbank)’s bill AB645, which was “assassinated” three times by State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-LA) and Chris Holden (D-Sacramento).
The measure will allow the cities of Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Long Beach, Oakland to install speed camera systems in school zones, areas with the most traffic accidents, injuries and deaths, and drivers who have road traffic experience. violations.
“The time has come to know the truth; I’m upset that Anthony Rendon and Chris Holden let Los Angeles and California down,” said Damian Kevitt. “We have a lot of people who want safer roads, but they don’t seem to care.”
La Opinión failed to get a response from either Rendon or Holden.
How to help
While Josh Mora is recovering at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, his family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with medical expenses.
There will be a fundraising car wash on April 15 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm where Melesio Mora, Josh’s father, works at Medsco Sheet Metal Fabrication, located at 958 N. Avenida Eastern, in Los Angeles.
Source: La Opinion
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