Wednesday, July 16, 2003 will go down as one of the most tragic days in Santa Monica history.
It’s the day a confused driver drove his car for two and a half blocks through a crowded farmer’s market, killing 10 people and injuring 79 people.
We all share the sorrow and grief of the families and friends of those who died and who were injured. My sympathy also goes to those who witnessed the horror, firsthand.
My thanks and deepest respect goes to the army of public safety personnel, emergency medical personnel, city staff, disaster agencies, companies and individuals who rendered aid and provided help in the darkest of hours.
I’m a disaster services volunteer for the Santa Monica Chapter of the American Red Cross and arrived on scene an hour after the accident happened. Most of the injured and witnesses were gone.
What was left was a large contingent of police, fire personnel, market vendors, emergency support service personnel — and the deceased under bright, yellow plastic sheets.
Workers, crime investigators and stranded market vendors who couldn’t move vehicles because the street had been declared a crime scene were on site until the early morning.
Thanks to my fellow volunteers and the staff of Santa Monica’s Red Cross Chapter, with the assistance of the West Los Angeles Chapter, who provided hot meals and canteen service to one and all at the accident scene.
My hats off to the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments for their extraordinary response. Now, nobody can question their ability to handle a major emergency. Their work was stunningly professional, compassionate and efficient.
The California Highway Patrol rendered assistance and their Major Accident Investigation Team which investigated the accident itself were dedicated and precise.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff, Beverly Hills Police, Culver City Police and their respective fire departments also deserve praise for their topnotch back-up for our own police and fire services.
My deepest respect and admiration also goes to the Los Angeles County Coroner who performed an extremely difficult and emotional task with reverence and dignity.
Kudos are in order for Los Angeles County mental health and Red Cross mental health staff, and volunteers for setting up and conducting numerous drop-in sharing sessions and one-on-one counseling for anyone psychologically impacted by the tragedy throughout the past week.
We can’t forget the medical professionals including doctors, nurses and personnel from American Medical Response and other ambulance services — all who performed miracles in the moments after the accident.
The city itself came through in spades. Special props go to the staff at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for their quick work in providing barricades, tables, chairs and sanitary facilities at the scene.
A special salute to everyday citizens who rendered aid and comfort. Well done.
A special note of gratitude to the American Red Cross blood banks and the hundreds who gave blood. Praise also goes to the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and to those who contributed to the victims’ fund.
Many businesses contributed. Outstanding was Buca Di Beppo on Second Street, who furnished pizza, hot pastas, salads, ice and setups for the 300 of us working on Arizona Avenue.
Starbucks, Back on Broadway, Quiznos Classic Subs (26th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard), Coffee Cake Bakery, Ralph’s and Whole Foods Market all came through with food, drink and snacks for market vendors, witnesses, emergency and public safety workers.
Additional thanks goes to the Acadie Creperi on Arizona Avenue who provided a place to rest that Wednesday afternoon and The Victorian House on Main Street who made their facilities available for mental health counseling last Sunday.
And, to all those who I might have inadvertently missed, a deeply felt thank you.
To the individuals, groups, agencies, businesses and organizations in the community who contributed goods, services, and support: You did really well.
But shame on the bottom-feeding ambulance chasers who harassed various agencies for lists of injured, our local media whores who used this tragedy to stroke their own egos and the television news commentators who convicted the driver of murder as investigations were just starting.
There’s a silver lining: We can work together and overcome the most horrific of events.
There are plenty of experienced, dedicated, helping hands available when disaster strikes and for that we are all very fortunate. (Bill Bauer is a longtime Santa Monica resident and a freelance writer.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 25, 2003. Read the original PDF.