Death and Devastation at Santa Monica Farmers' Market
On Wednesdays, sawhorses close a two-block stretch of Arizona Avenue to traffic in anticipation of the Santa Monica Farmers- Market. The 20 year-old open-air market, the largest and most popular of the city-s four markets, draws shoppers from throughout the Westside. This Wednesday, in what looked like a horrific stunt from a movie, an elderly driver crashed through the barricades, knocking over people, produce, tarps and stalls. At least 8 people were killed, including a two year-old child. Another 35 people were injured, 15 of them critically. Police Chief James Butts called the accident the -single most devastating scene- he had encountered in 30 years. We hear more about the tragedy from a Santa Monica City Councilman, former State Senator Tom Hayden and several eye witnesses, including one who narrowly escaped being hit and another who pulled the driver out of his car.