> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Collision causes concern among local residents - URL: https://www.smdp.com/collision-causes-concern-among-local-residents/ - Published: 2005-09-13T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T07:46:41.000Z - Author: Ryan Hyatt - Tags: Crime, Sunset Park, #archive-import *INTERSECTION, from page 1 Sunset Park residents want turn signal after recent accident* SUNSET PARK — A two-car accident at the corner of 16th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard that resulted in no injuries on Monday has residents wondering what it’ll take for City Hall to put a traffic signal at an intersection that they claim sees dozens of similar incidents annually. At 9:20 a.m., a Ford Explorer flipped over after a Mitsubishi smashed into it. Both drivers walked away from the accident, police said. Witnesses said the driver of the Ford Explorer, heading eastbound on Ocean Park Boulevard, attempted to veer away from the oncoming car traveling southbound on 16th Street, but was unable to. The Explorer rode on its right wheels briefly before flipping over, crushing the top of the SUV. The Explorer’s driver, a woman, received minor injuries and complained of pain but didn’t want to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. The Mitsubishi driver reported no injuries, police said. The Explorer’s driver was distraught, sitting on the sidewalk, hands holding up her head, as she watched a tow truck flip the Explorer right side up. Several residents who live close to the accident scene said such incidents at the intersection are common. They said City Hall needs to put in a traffic signal to make the area more safe. Students from three nearby schools — Will Rogers Elementary, John Adams Middle School and Santa Monica College — frequently use the yellow painted crosswalk on Ocean Park Boulevard throughout the day. The crosswalk is illuminated, but residents said the lights are only visible at night. They added that the crosswalk is useless during the morning and afternoon hours when it’s needed most for passing students. Residents said a school girl walking across Ocean Park Boulevard was hit and seriously injured by a motorist in March. In 1996, residents said a man was dismembered and his body parts were thrown as far as a block away when he was struck by a speeding motorist. Norm Patino, a Santa Monica resident for more than 25 years, owns Merrihew- Sunset Gardens, a nursery located on the southwest corner of Ocean Park Boulevard and 16th street. Patino said he sees a near-collision at the intersection at least twice a month. “As soon as I saw that SUV flip over, I started dialing 9-1-1,” Patino said. “A customer ran out from the store and pulled out the driver. “Accidents like this happen all of the time here,” he added. “I don’t know why there’s no turn signal.” > “Accidents like this happen all of the time here. I don’t know why there’s no turn signal.” — NORM PATINO Santa Monica resident Resident Susan Bance called the intersection horrendous and said greater steps were needed to regulate traffic. Another resident, who lives on the 1500 block of Ocean Park Boulevard, called Monday’s collision the “accident of the month,” and said it was ridiculous that City Hall hasn’t installed better traffic measures to protect public safety at the site. Santa Monica Police Department Lt. Frank Fabrega said traffic accidents in Santa Monica are down 1 percent overall from last year. There was no information immediately available on how many traffic accidents have occurred in recent history at the intersection, Fabrega said. Lucy Dyke, head of City Hall’s transportation planning division, said residents have requested a traffic signal at the intersection. However, upon investigation, staff found that the location didn’t meet minimum requirements for the installation of a traffic signal. The requirements are set at the state and national levels, she said. Dyke said over the years there have been humbling and saddening accidents at the intersection, even after City Hall took steps in 2004 to improve conditions. The flashing crosswalk includes warning signs and curb extensions, which were designed and installed based on community input, field review and an analysis of conditions at the intersection including traffic volumes, accident history, and pedestrian crossing volumes, Dyke said. The crosswalk improvements were considered to be the best available for the conditions at the time, Dyke said. City Hall also has made the area a focus of speed enforcement and SMPD undercover officers regularly conduct stings to nab motorists who don’t yield for pedestrians. Nonetheless, Dyke said the steps City Hall has taken can’t alone guarantee compliance with traffic signs and controls. She pointed out that most pedestrian auto accidents in Santa Monica occur at signalized intersections. Flashing light systems have been shown to be a promising improvement to reduce accidents, Dyke said. However, she said City Hall is reviewing the operation of the flashers at 16th and 18th streets to determine whether they are still the best available improvements for those locations. The City Council allocated funding this year to study the conditions in that area. “We all want to make walking, especially walking to school, safer for this community,” Dyke said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/091305-01_04.jpg) Police investigate a traffic accident at 16th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard on Monday. (Photo: Ryan Hyatt/Daily Press) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 13, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/091305.pdf?ref=smdp.com)