An unidentified motorist crashed his 2000 Toyota 4Runner into a light pole on Ocean Ave. near the Granada Ave. intersection on Aug. 21. JIMMY YOUNG / THE GUARDSMAN

By Alex Emslie
OPINIONS AND EDITORIALS EDITOR

A 2000 Toyota 4Runner crashed into a light post at the intersection of Granada and Ocean Avenues late in the afternoon Aug. 21. Impact from the head-on wreck sent the decorative lower light post cover into the window of Health Feet Spa.

The vehicle’s driver was taken from the scene in an ambulance as a precautionary measure, according to San Francisco Police Department Officer Chu. The unidentified man was conscious with no visible injuries and did not complain of any pain. No bystanders sustained any injuries.

All witnesses agreed the car was traveling “very fast” when it hit the light post. Signs posted nearby set the speed limit on Ocean Ave. at 10 miles per hour.

“I would guess it was going around 30 to 35 miles per hour,” SFPD Officer Leong said. He thought the vehicle traveling south on Granada was the most likely story. There were no skid marks at the scene.

“I thought it was gun shooting,” said Health Feet Spa customer Lorie Rueda about the sound of the crash.

“I was sitting right here,” Quyiah Le, the salon’s owner said as she pointed to a desk near the shattered front window. “It was very frightening.”

Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of the crash. Rose De Alba, who was sitting in the spa, said she was looking out the window and saw the vehicle traveling east on Ocean Avenue just before it hit the light post.

Paul Lara and Tim Coyne of San Francisco Meats and Delicatessen said the SUV was traveling south on Granada.

“We’re just happy he didn’t come through the glass,” Coyone said. Had the lamp post not been there, the SUV could easily have hit the deli.

Elbia Torrez, of El Jalapeno Taqueria, agreed with Granada’s account. She was outside the restaurant at the time of the accident.

“I ran like crazy when I saw it,” she said. “It almost hit me.”

Paramedics prepare the female victim to be transported to San Francisco General Hospital after she was hit in the crosswalk near the health center on Phelan Avenue by a red Volkswagen New Beetle on March 2. RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN

By Ellen Silk
NEWS EDITOR

A City College student was hit by a car while crossing the street near the northern exit of the reservoir parking lot at 1 p.m. on March 2.

A red Volkswagen New Beetle, turning left out of the parking lot onto Phelan Avenue, collided with the female student, who was walking in the crosswalk towards the reservoir, said Michael Pama, a computer science major.

“The rain made it hard to see, she (the pedestrian) could have been in the car’s blind spot,” Pama said.

The San Francisco Community College District Police Department, as well as the San Francisco Police Department were on the scene, blocking off two lanes of traffic on Phelan Avenue near Judson Avenue. The victim complained of a hurt arm and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, according to police.

A red Volkswagen New Beetle (center) was involved in a collision with a female student in the crosswalk near City College's Student Health Center on Phelan Avenue on March 2. ALEX LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN

The driver declined to give her name, but said she hoped the victim was all right.

Albert Cheong, a City College student, said he saw the victim laying in the crosswalk as he was walking up.

“When will they get traffic lights?” Cheong said.

SFCCDPD did not to comment on the accident, but said a traffic light for that intersection was “in the works.”