Woman Struck By LA Co. Beach Maintenance Vehicle While Sunbathing

VENICE (CBSLA.com) — A 49-year-old woman was struck and seriously injured by a maintenance vehicle while sunbathing on a beach near Venice, county officials said.

The accident happened around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on Via Marina Peninsula beach, just north of Marina del Rey Harbor, spokesperson Carol Baker said.

The driver of the vehicle, a veteran employee of the Department of Beaches and Harbors' beach maintenance division, had stopped to tend to several large pieces of debris near the shoreline.

"As he attempted to depart, turning his Nissan Xterra SUV away from the shore, the vehicle struck the woman, who had been lying face down in the sand, unseen by the driver," Baker said.

The woman, who was "alert and oriented" at the scene, was transported to UCLA Medical Center in serious condition.

Police interviewed the driver, who was later released.

The Department of Beaches and Harbors will conduct a review.