Mason. Mason didn’t see Sayers, lawyers claim, because the flashing safety lights in the crosswalk were not working. Sayers’ attorneys — Browne Greene and Robert Jarchi of the Santa Monica-based Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler, LLP. — will argue that workers in West Hollywood’s City Hall knew the crosswalk was dangerous for pedestrians.
As early as 1990, hundreds of people who worked in nearby offices petitioned the city to make the intersection safer, including those employed by Playboy Video Enterprises, Inc. and Western International Media, according to Sayers’ attorneys.
Lawyers will argue that West Hollywood’s City Hall knew the best solution to the problem was to install a traffic tri-light signal and was trying to compel local area businesses to pay for the traffic light. Instead, it opted to install a system with a motion sensor and flashing lights surrounding the crosswalk to illuminate pedestrians at night.
Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler, LLP., whose offices are at 100 Wilshire Blvd., also are representing victims of the Farmers’ Market accident — during which an elderly man drove into a crowded market last July, killing 10 and injuring dozens more.
The city of West Hollywood is being represented by Scott Haith, who works for the Calabasas-based law firm of Robertson & Vick. Haith did not return calls seeking comment.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 22, 2004. Read the original PDF.