Deasy: LAUSD To Ask For More Crossing Guards In Wake Of Deadly Accident
HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) —"Limited resources" are being blamed as the reason why a crossing guard was not in place at an intersection where a mother was fatally struck by a semi-truck as she walked her daughter to school.
The accident happened around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday in the 1300 block of Bronson Avenue, across from Le Conte Middle School, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
A semi truck, which was carrying bags of cement, hit Marleni Edith Barrera, 42, and her 10-year-old child as they crossed the street.
The pair was headed to Citizens of the World Charter School, which is on Le Conte's campus.
Both victims were transported to a local hospital, where Barrera died. Her name has not been released. The girl suffered minor injuries and was expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday.
The truck driver stopped, cooperated with authorities and was later released.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation, but police said it appears to be a tragic accident.
The LAUSD reportedly asked the LA Department of Transportation for a crossing guard at that intersection approximately a year ago.
"It's a tragic situation," Superintendent John Deasy said. "Our own LAUSD police mobile unit will be at that site until we're able to secure a crossing guard."
LADOT officials were scheduled to meet Deasy Wednesday on the matter.
"We are looking at increasing the resources allocated to the crossing guard program and identifying additional safety measures," Jonathan Hull, LADOT spokesman, said. "This location qualified for a crossing guard but one was not assigned due to limited resources."
It was unclear when, and if, a guard would be placed outside the schools.
