Drivers Hold 'Hearse-In' To Support Student In Parking Dispute

UNIVERSITY PARK (CBSLA.com) — Samantha Kidner, an 18-year-old college student who lives near USC, is having a parking dispute with her apartment complex over her "everyday car." It happens to be a hearse.

On Sunday, a few fellow hearse drivers staged their version of a sit-in at The Lorenzo, on Adams Boulevard to support Kidner.

CBS2's Bobby Kaple spoke with the mortuary science student, who said she  has been driving hearses since she was 16, and currently pays for two parking spots. Despite that, officials from The Lorenzo don't want the vehicle parked there.

"We got two phone calls before 10 a.m. telling us we needed to move the hearse, and that the owner of the property doesn't like the message it sends, and doesn't want it on the property," Kidner said. "Thursday night, I went to go pull into the one handicap spot and the security guard just stood in front of my car."

Kidner has had four brain surgeries and has a spinal disorder, along with a handicapped parking permit.

"It really is just a car," said fellow hearse driver Lydia Robinvale, who was among those turning out for the hearse-in. "I think it's ridiculous, it is discrimination. She pays for a parking spot, she actually is disabled."

Reaction from Kidner's neightbors is mixed.

"I think it's kind of weird, honestly, because this is student living and what is it doing here," said apartment resident Kiara Stephens.

"It's a basic right you're allowed to drive whatever car you want, and if someone had a huge truck...it's just a different kind of car," said former resident Jaclyn Walles.

"No one should have to go through this," said Kidner, who wants to own a mortuary someday. "No one should be harassed based off of what kind of car they drive."

Officials from the The Lorenzo did not respond to a request for comment.