Death Toll Rises to 10

By Jorge Casuso

July 17 -- A seven-month-old baby died Thursday from injuries suffered when a runaway car barreled through the Farmers Market Wednesday, bringing the number of dead to ten.

Brendon Esfahani of Los Angeles was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center, making him the youngest victim. A three-year-old girl was one of eight people who died at the scene. A ninth victim died Wednesday night after being rushed to the hospital.

The baby was at the market with his mother and grandmother, who were among the nearly 50 injured when a car driven by Russell Weller, 86, careened down a two-block stretch of Arizona Avenue shortly before the 2 p.m. closing time.

Weller told police that he hit the gas pedal instead of the brake when he turned the corner of Fourth Street and headed westbound. Tests showed that Weller was not under he influence of alcohol or psychological medication, police said.

Police have interviewed more than 100 eyewitnesses in an effort to determine Weller's intent. Once the investigation is completed, they will decide whether to seek charges against the 86-year-old Santa Monica resident, who was a booster of the local library and a former high school tutor.

Weller's attorney, Jim Bianco, said it was a "tragic" accident.

"Mr. Weller and his family want to express their deepest sympathies to the victims and their families of the tragic accident earlier today," Weller family attorney Jim Bianco said in a statement Wednesday night. "This was an unintentional and unfortunate accident."

Weller's longtime neighbor Herb Roney, who is the chair of the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees, said he was shocked and saddened by the news.

"He never told me about any incidents that would cause him to harm anyone," Roney told The Lookout Thursday. "He would do nothing to harm anyone. I know right now he is under tremendous strain."