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# Lawsuit expected in death of pedestrian
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/lawsuit-expected-in-death-of-pedestrian/
- Published: 2007-01-27T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T23:54:53.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: Crime, Mid-City, #archive-import

*Traffic fatalities have plagued Ocean Park*

MID-CITY The family of an 80-year-old man who was struck and killed by a motorist Wednesday afternoon while walking in a crosswalk plan to sue City Hall for allegedly failing to ensure people’s safety at the busy intersection.

Yakov Krivulin, a retired engineer from Lvov, Ukraine, was walking north on Euclid Street around 3:15 p.m. when he was hit by a four-door Jaguar traveling westbound on Santa Monica Boulevard, according to police.

Krivulin was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, who was not identified, but is believed to be in his late 60s or early 70s, was taken into custody shortly after the accident and submitted to a blood test. Police said he was cooperating with the investigation.

“It was definitely the driver’s fault, but City Hall did not provide adequate safety,” said Semion Krivulin, the son of Yakov Krivulin, who was out picking up medication and groceries when he was killed. “I went to that intersection and walked back and forth five times — nobody stopped for me. They need to put up a traffic light for sure.

“We will definitely open a case.” As for the driver, “his punishment will come from within his own soul,” Semion Krivulin added.

City officials could not comment on the threat of a lawsuit because the accident is still under investigation.

“It is a terrible accident and our hearts go out to the families of those involved,” said Mona Miyasato, assistant to the City Manager. “Police are still investigating the accident and we need to let that take its course.”

Immediately following Wednesday’s tragedy, nearby residents and those who work at the intersection reported the continual dangers pedestrians face crossing Santa Monica Boulevard there because cars rarely stop at the crosswalk. Many also voiced complaints that the lighted crosswalk, which was out of service at the time of the crash, gives people a false sense of security.

Only three of the crosswalk’s 25 embedded lights were working at the time of the crash, police said. Above the crosswalk activation button was a sign that read: “Flashers out of service... Sorry.”

The crosswalk was one of five installed on Santa Monica Boulevard in 2000 to “provide increased visibility for the motorist, while still requiring the pedestrian to cross with care,” according to a city staff report dated Aug. 8, 2000.

Other locations on Santa Monica Boulevard where the lighted crosswalks were installed are; Ninth Street, 15th Street, 18th Street and Princeton Street.

Ocean Park and Pico boulevards also have the same systems at select intersections.

CROSSWALKS A CONCERN City officials are working on the final phase of a traffic study to improve safety along a deadly stretch of Ocean Park Boulevard. Police recently filed misdemeanor charges against a driver who struck and killed a woman while she was walking in a crosswalk at 25th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard on Sept. 21, 2006.

The city kicked off the four-phase traffic analysis in May 2006 at a community meeting at the Fairview Branch Library, where approximately 45 concerned participants vented their frustration over the dangers of an area that is home to John Adams Middle School, Will Rogers Elementary School and New Roads Elementary School. Santa Monica College is situated also nearby.

A study identified speed as one of the main problems on Ocean Park Boulevard, which has posted speed limits of 25 mph when children are present, and 30-35 mph at other times. Residents contend the limits are rarely adhered to by motorists.

Residents also complained about the lighted crosswalks breaking down frequently.

City officials said one of the companies that installed the system has since gone bankrupt, which has hindered efforts to get them fixed. City Hall is looking at alternatives for maintenance.

In the meantime, Semion Kivulin is making funeral arrangements for his father, a World War II veteran who moved to Santa Monica 13 years ago with his wife of 60 years.

“He was a hard-working man,” Semion Kivulin said of his father. “He did everything he could to support his family. He loved people, loved nature. He loved everybody... He was a very strong man. He would go everywhere on his feet. He was in good condition. You would not know he was 80 by looking at him.

“This is a tragedy for our family and my mother, who is now alone after 60 years of marriage.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 27, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/012707.pdf?ref=smdp.com)