A man suffered serious injuries Friday when a Los Angeles County beach maintenance truck struck him while he was in the sand at Venice Beach, authorities said.
The accident occurred around 8:45 a.m. at 417 Ocean Front Walk. The man, who was not immediately identified, was “alert and oriented” and complained of lower back pain when taken to UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, according to Carol Baker of the Department of Beaches and Harbors.
“The driver of the vehicle, a grounds maintenance worker with the department for more than 15 years, had finished cleaning the Rose Avenue parking lot with a cleaning crew and was proceeding south along the beach near the bike path when he was flagged down by a beach patron about another maintenance need,” Baker said.
“As he turned the vehicle to respond to the new call, one of the maintenance pick-up truck’s wheels struck the victim, who was reclining on the beach with a blanket,” she said.
Capt. Eric Howell of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division, which responded to the scene along with the Los Angeles Fire Department, reported the man’s age as 51 years old. The LAFD reported he was 53.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division is investigating the accident.
The driver, whose name was withheld, was interviewed by police and released. Baker said he has been suspended from performing some of his regular duties, including driving, pending the conclusion of the department’s investigation into the incident.
[symple_googlemap title=”Venice Beach mishap” location=”417 Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach, CA” height=”300″ zoom=”13″]
— City News Service