Santa Monica Remembers Market Tragedy

By Juliet McShannon

July 17 – Exactly one year after an elderly driver plowed through the Downtown Farmers Market killing 10 and injuring 63, some three dozen people gathered Friday at the Presbyterian Church to remember the seemingly inexplicable tragedy that took place on an overcast summer’s day.

Outside the church, large placards bearing messages of support welcomed the family and friends of the victims. "Always in my heart," read one. "The market is a glorious place full of family and love. This tragedy has left an empty place in its heart," read another.

The low turnout fostered an intimate atmosphere that encouraged some to stand up impromptu and share their thoughts of 87-year old George Russell Weller’s tragic ride through the market, which ended less than a block from the church.

One of those in attendance was Shamsi Kahni, a wheel-chair bound victim who spent eight months in the hospital recovering from her injuries.

“‘Why am I alive when others are dead?’ I ask myself. I don't know,” she said. “I have five sisters all of whom love me. I am lucky.

"It has been very difficult for me," Kahni continued. "I am an old lady and have had to spend a lot of money on getting a nurse to look after me. It is not easy."

Maria Martinez told of the grief her family experienced when her sister in law, Gloria Olivera Gonzalez, was killed, leaving her family behind.

"Life is so short and unpredictable,” Martinez said. “The only thing that helps us is our faith that she was happy when she died. She seemed happy that morning with her children. The best thing we can do now is carry on the example that she was to her kids."

Rosemary Prior, a close friend of Le Roy Lattier, 55, the first to die in the accident, spoke of love and reconciliation.

"Le Roy was from New Orleans,” Prior said. “I learned a great deal from him. All I know is that there is a celebration going on in heaven. There is a lot of love in this room. It is important that we all love each other."

Matt Burrows, who lives and works on Arizona Avenue, told the small gathering that he felt a "massive helplessness" at arriving on the scene and not being able to go to the victims' aid. The experience led his to take a First Aid course in order to help others, he said.

"It is a sad realization that tragedies such as this one do happen,” Burrows said. “I wanted to do something pro-active, so I joined the Santa Monica Fire Department's DART (Disaster and Assistance Response Training) program.

“I am now going to take a second course the Red Cross is offering and would urge others to do so too," he added.

Some residents were angry that the City Council had not erected barriers to better protect the market.

"Why are there no retractable ballasts yet at the end of the promenade and at each end of Arizona?" asked Lori Thompson, a Santa Monica resident who witnessed the accident.

"It may not stop someone from driving through,” she said, “but it would certainly wake someone up if they were not focused on their driving."

The hour-long service, which included singing by Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Sholom in Santa Monica, was led by the Reverend Janet Bregar who asked the congregation to observe a moment of silence at 1:47 pm, the time the accident took place.

"It is only when we allow grief to come into our awareness that we can be open to healing," Bregar said. "Tragedy is never easy but it allows us to honor the people whose lives were lost and to be more honest about issues in the community."

The ceremony was co-sponsored by the Center for Healthy Aging, whose President, Monika White, attended the service. White said the group was helping promote awareness of the problems elderly drivers may face.

"We are currently involved in a project to inform the elderly who no longer drive because they can't, or don't wish to, of their options,” White said after the service, which her group videotaped and hopes to air on National Public Television. “It is important to create awareness."

Mayor Richard Bloom recalled how the Santa Monica community how found strength and compassion in the face of tragedy.

“It is so hard to understand how such a terrible and random occurrence could happen in a place of such great humanity and community,” Bloom said. “I am awestruck at the resiliency all have shown in the face of such great tragedy.

“The outpouring of love and kindness that has flowed in this city is a thing of great wonderment,” the mayor said. “In our sadness, we have learned much about the strength of the human spirit.”

Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown, who was in New York on business when the accident took place, said he was surprised by the incident’s “unifying power.”

"You think of New Yorkers as being hard, but I was embraced when I told them what had happened," he said after the service.

"I am taken aback by the unifying power of this community in coming together and facing that which we shouldn't have had to face. This community as done itself proud."

Reverend Bregar concluded the ceremony by pleading for peace and reconciliation.

“Grief stands on its own," she said. "But there is great love here today and that is the best we can do to honor those that passed last year."