Thousands gather at scene of carnage
Thousands of people gathered at the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market on Saturday to remember those who were killed there five days ago after an elderly man lost control of his car and plowed through the crowd.
An interfaith group of more than a dozen religious leaders led a procession from St. Augustine’s By-the-Sea Church, on Fourth Street, to the intersection of Arizona Avenue and the Third Street Promenade.
“We are here to remember,” said Neil Comess- Daniels, a rabbi at Beth Shir Sholom. “But we are not here to remember death.”
Comess-Daniels urged the community to honor the lives of the 10 people who died last week. He reminded the crowd that in Judaism, one must repent the day before he dies. But since no one knows when he will die, everyone should pray each day.
Farmer’s Market vendors, shoppers, community leaders, residents and members of the media attended Saturday’s event.
Russell Weller, 86, of Santa Monica, has remained out of the public eye since the fatal accident. He told police he may have hit the gas instead of the brake, causing him to lose control of his 1992 Buick LeSabre. Police are investigating the accident and charges against Weller are pending.
While some residual sentiments of anger and resentment towards Weller could be heard in the crowd, the overwhelming feelings at Saturday’s event were of grief and recovery.
Many members of the audience, who gathered in front of a makeshift stage adorned with fresh flowers from the market, sobbed and held one another in the midday heat, as religious leaders led prayers and musicians performed for the crowd.
A bell was chimed for each of the dead and local leaders — such as City Councilman Bob Holbrook and Santa Monica Fire Department Chief Ettore Berardinelli, among others — read each victim’s name.
The crowd then observed a moment of silence before dispersing into the bustling market.
Jenna Edwards, a 25-year-old Santa Monica worker who was taken to the UCLA-Westwood Hospital Wednesday after being pinned under a table at the market, said she didn’t want to attend Saturday’s event but was urged by her mother to come.
Once she arrived and felt the community support, Edwards said she was glad she came.
“I’m, lucky,” she said through heavy tears, leaning on crutches. “I’m so lucky.”
Edwards was treated for a bruised femur and released just hours later. She said she watched an elderly woman who also was pinned beneath a table die in front of her.
“You have to do the living of the 10 people that passed on because you survived,” she said.
Only two vendors that do business at both of the twice-weekly markets didn’t return Saturday. Both were in shock and will return this Wednesday, said Laura Avery, the farmer’s market manager.
“We were bruised and we were shattered by last week’s events,” Avery said. “But our desire to come together as a market was stronger than fear.”
Susan Ayles, who for 20 years has been coming to the market to sell for Harry’s Berries Farm in Oxnard, posted behind her stand that read “Our Wednesday crew is fine, thank you.”
“They share something that only they can understand,” she said of the crew. “It was a freak thing. Take whatever precaution you can, but is there anywhere in this world that is safe?”
Her neighbor at the market, Grant Reed of Winchester Cheese, witnessed Wednesday’s carnage. He said many of his regular customers appeared to be staying away from the market, while others had rushed straight to his stand early Saturday morning.
Asked if he was hesitant to return after seeing the death firsthand, Reed said, “A little apprehensive, but I thought it’s better to get back to some normalcy.”
Reed said the shock from the event hadn’t fully worn off by Saturday.
“I heard a roar and it sounded like a hurricane coming down the street, with god awful screams,” he said, looking at the ground. “Horrific screams.”
Though some stayed away from the market and many non-regulars came to show support but not to buy goods, Avery said the market drew about the same number of regular shoppers as any other Saturday.
Deborah Glusker, a real estate agent who works in Santa Monica and frequents both markets, said she missed Wednesday’s accident by a mere 15 minutes. But despite her close encounter, Glusker said she felt compelled to return Saturday.
“I love it,” she said of the market. “I think it’s one of the greatest places in LA and I just had to be here today.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 21, 2003. Read the original PDF.