Farmers Market Victims Fund Closes as Investigation Continues

By Mark McGuigan
Staff Writer

Nov 10 -- Four months after a runaway driver ripped through a crowded Farmers Market leaving ten people dead and more than 50 injured, a community fund honoring the victims and their families has closed after raising more than $183,000.

Established by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce 24 hours after the tragic events of July 17, the Santa Monica Farmers Market Victims Assistance Fund -- which provided financial assistance for surviving victims and for the families of those who died -- wrapped up at the end of October.

“We’ve received and distributed over $183,000 and we’re not accepting any more money,” said Kathryn Dodson, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “We’re shutting down the account and the corporation.”

Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the tragedy -- the worst man-made disaster in the city's history. At the scene, the driver, Russell Weller, an 86-year-old resident of Santa Monica, told police that he possibly hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, driving his '92 Buick LaSabre two-and-a-half blocks through the crowded market.

“They’re doing a thorough investigation,” said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the police department spokesman. “There are a lot of witnesses.”

At the height of the fund raising, donations rolled in from across Southern California and as far afield as Utah. Every penny collected went to the victims and their families, as banks and credit card companies waived transaction fees in support of the cause, Dodson said.

“We’ve gotten some wonderful ‘Thank you’ notes,” said Dodson. “Some people were very surprised.”

The families of those who died each received a sum of $5,000 from the fund. Victims who were seriously injured were given $7,500 to help cover medical expenses, while those with lesser injuries were granted $1,500.

“Obviously the medical bills are much more than we can give,” said Dodson. “(But) I’m so impressed with the community and how much they gave.”

Although the fund was open to anyone directly touched by the tragedy, some appeals for monetary assistance were implausible at best, Dodson said.

Working from a list compiled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that identified the 75 original victims, organizers had to filter a stream of incoming calls from people requesting bogus financial assistance in the wake of the disaster.

Callers not listed by the CHP were asked to file a police report giving an account of their involvement in the tragic incident, including the injuries sustained. According to Dodson, no one outside the actual list of victims filed a report.

“We got some terrible phone calls,” said Dodson of the less than honest appeals for help.

One request, she said, came from a person asking for money to replace a cell phone broken during the calamity. Another bid for cash came from a woman claiming she had been “traumatized” by watching the events on television.

“Overall it was a positive experience,” said Dodson of her involvement with administering the fund. “So many people gave. We had six companies donate $10,000 each, and kids donating a dollar. It was a really moving thing to be a part of.”

The checks for $10,000 came from some of the city's largest banks -- Wells Fargo, Bank of America, US Bank and First Federal Bank of California -- as well as the California Community Foundation and from the Macerich Company, which owns Santa Monica Place.

“I’m really proud of what the whole city did,” Dodson said. “We (the Chamber of Commerce) just played our role.”