By Joanne Gamlin
Like federal officials, who immediately after Sept. 11, insisted they never envisioned planes being hijacked to fly into important buildings, Santa Monica officials maintained they never imaged a driver who would mow down 10 individuals, plus cause scores of injuries at the downtown farmers market.
Nevertheless, the victims of this action have to be compensated, no doubt, in some cases, richly.
If the Weller family is deemed unable to meet the expected liability claims and if General Motors can prove that the car Weller drove was not responsible, plaintiff attorneys will surely turn to the city.
They'll contend that Santa Monica should have erected sturdy barriers to the market. And the city will probably pay up because the victims of this tragedy must be compensated.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 4, 2003. Read the original PDF.