A 77-year-old woman died after being hit by a vehicle near Los Flores Avenue when she darted into the roadway while chasing after her pooch early Monday morning.
After the accident, the woman identified as Belba Bray, of Buena Park, was taken to a hospital where she later died from injuries sustained in the accident.
Reports show that Bray’s son was nearby and he rushed to the scene when the accident at the 5900 block of Los Feliz Drive occurred. The woman’s dog was later found and was given to him.
The driver of the 2008 Dodge Charger stayed at the scene and cooperated with authorities as they investigated the vehicle accident. He was later released without charges or any citation.
The driver may be free from charges once proven that he wasn’t, in any way, able to prevent the accident that killed the elderly pedestrian. However, motorists should still be cautious and be conscious of pedestrians who may suddenly cross the street. But then again, the woman was probably running to get her dog and so she wasn’t able to warn approaching motorists that she is about to cross and the driver may have failed to avoid her.
In cases like these, it is very unfortunate for someone to lose his life because of a simple misjudgment. The woman shouldn’t have crossed the street even if her dog got away as she had put herself in more danger by doing so. She should have scanned the road first for approaching vehicles or asked someone to help her chase after her dog.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Hoping for a Touch of Human Ingenuity in Africa
I am a firm believer in human ingenuity and when push comes to shove, I believe that we will find a way to survive even the most cataclysmic of events.
Sometimes you just wish that the same ingenuity can be used to solve the current problems that are being faced by the planet and that we do not have to face certain extinction before we do something about it.
The water problem in Africa for instance; according to H2O Africa foundation, more than 2 billion people have no access to clean water and sanitation.
We are in the new millennium and you would think that access to safe drinking water should no longer be an issue.
But that is not the case.
About 4 out of 5 Africans still use ground water as their main water supply.
The main problem is that ground water is not always clean and it only comprises about 15 percent of the continent’s water supply.
Why they depend on this ground water if it is only 15 percent of the water available, you may ask.
The answer goes back to technology, or the lack of it.
Many of the tribes in Africa do not even have electricity so they do not exactly have the technical knowledge and the resources to take advantage of their inaccessible water supply.
But you just look over the Internet and you will find that there have been various breakthroughs in technology that should be able to help the water and sanitation crisis in Africa.
There is even a technology that creates potable water out of thin air that will be used by US troops in Iraq to provide them clean water supply anytime they are on a mission.
I am not trying to take away anything from our troops, but I think the right sentiment is why is that technology being used in war and not to save lives?
But as most economists will tell you, people respond to incentives and there is not much incentive in helping Africa aside from the usual thank you and deep gratitude.
The most that we can do is to spread awareness about the problem and contribute to the organizations who champion the cause of the people of Africa.
Maybe someday (hopefully before an end of the world scenario) our human ingenuity will be coupled with our sense of compassion and ability to do good even for the slightest incentives.
Then finally, we can really say that we can change the world for the better.
Sometimes you just wish that the same ingenuity can be used to solve the current problems that are being faced by the planet and that we do not have to face certain extinction before we do something about it.
The water problem in Africa for instance; according to H2O Africa foundation, more than 2 billion people have no access to clean water and sanitation.
We are in the new millennium and you would think that access to safe drinking water should no longer be an issue.
But that is not the case.
About 4 out of 5 Africans still use ground water as their main water supply.
The main problem is that ground water is not always clean and it only comprises about 15 percent of the continent’s water supply.
Why they depend on this ground water if it is only 15 percent of the water available, you may ask.
The answer goes back to technology, or the lack of it.
Many of the tribes in Africa do not even have electricity so they do not exactly have the technical knowledge and the resources to take advantage of their inaccessible water supply.
But you just look over the Internet and you will find that there have been various breakthroughs in technology that should be able to help the water and sanitation crisis in Africa.
There is even a technology that creates potable water out of thin air that will be used by US troops in Iraq to provide them clean water supply anytime they are on a mission.
I am not trying to take away anything from our troops, but I think the right sentiment is why is that technology being used in war and not to save lives?
But as most economists will tell you, people respond to incentives and there is not much incentive in helping Africa aside from the usual thank you and deep gratitude.
The most that we can do is to spread awareness about the problem and contribute to the organizations who champion the cause of the people of Africa.
Maybe someday (hopefully before an end of the world scenario) our human ingenuity will be coupled with our sense of compassion and ability to do good even for the slightest incentives.
Then finally, we can really say that we can change the world for the better.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Boy Injured in Glendora Bicycle Accident
Children are the most vulnerable to serious and fatal injuries in bicycle accidents that is why the family of the boy who got struck by another vehicle in Glendora is lucky that he only sustained minor injuries.
The collision between the young bicyclist and the other vehicle occurred near the intersection of North Glendora Avenue and East Bennett Avenue.
The details on how the two vehicles crashed with each other is not clear except that the boy was riding his bike on East Bennett while the other vehicle was on traveling on North Glendora before the bicycle accident.
There was no report on what or who caused the crash.
The boy was airlifted to a nearby hospital as precaution even though he did not sustain any injuries and rightfully so, since some of the more serious injuries do not have obvious symptoms.
Take traumatic brain injury (TBI) for instance; a victim may feel fine one second then collapse in pain an hour later.
That is why the boy should be tested for any possible effects of the collision to be sure.
If the injuries are simply minor and the cost is not that large, it may not be difficult to collect payment from the liable party’s insurance company.
But if the injuries are more serious and the cost of treatment is too expensive, then expect the insurance company to play hardball.
They will look for any possible negligent act of the young bicyclist to discredit the claim.
This includes questioning if the boy was wearing a helmet (Note: bicyclists below 18 are required to wear helmet).
To even the playing field, the family of the boy should consult a car accident lawyer to make sure that they are properly compensated for the boy’s injuries.
The collision between the young bicyclist and the other vehicle occurred near the intersection of North Glendora Avenue and East Bennett Avenue.
The details on how the two vehicles crashed with each other is not clear except that the boy was riding his bike on East Bennett while the other vehicle was on traveling on North Glendora before the bicycle accident.
There was no report on what or who caused the crash.
The boy was airlifted to a nearby hospital as precaution even though he did not sustain any injuries and rightfully so, since some of the more serious injuries do not have obvious symptoms.
Take traumatic brain injury (TBI) for instance; a victim may feel fine one second then collapse in pain an hour later.
That is why the boy should be tested for any possible effects of the collision to be sure.
If the injuries are simply minor and the cost is not that large, it may not be difficult to collect payment from the liable party’s insurance company.
But if the injuries are more serious and the cost of treatment is too expensive, then expect the insurance company to play hardball.
They will look for any possible negligent act of the young bicyclist to discredit the claim.
This includes questioning if the boy was wearing a helmet (Note: bicyclists below 18 are required to wear helmet).
To even the playing field, the family of the boy should consult a car accident lawyer to make sure that they are properly compensated for the boy’s injuries.
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