1 Grave, 1 Seriously Hurt In Glendale Hit-And-Run Crash
GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) — One woman was gravely injured and another was seriously hurt Thursday night in a hit-and-run crash, authorities said.
The accident occurred around 8 p.m. in a crosswalk at Central Avenue and California Avenue, a few blocks from the Americana at Brand.
Police say the women were struck by a light-colored four door sedan that turned right after the accident and headed south on Central.
One woman, now identified as 74-year-old Serpouhi Gharapetian, was listed in grave condition.
"Her head split open," said the husband of the other victim, Bekzad Shahbazian, a 69-year-old woman who was critically injured.
Both women were transported to a local hospital.
Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said the women were walking across the street and had the light.
"They obtained the green light and as soon as they got the green light, they stepped off the curb," according to Lorenz. "With that being said, just because you've got the green light, please look left and look right. The green light doesn't mean we have parted the sea and we're going to stop everything."
Officials say there have been four accidents in the area over the past few weeks, one of which was deadly.
"We have some stats that show our senior population has been involved in a significant number of pedestrian accidents," Lorenz said.
Earlier this week, a 75-year-old woman was struck around 4:20 p.m. in the 1100 block of Western Avenue.
That victim was struck by a white utility van as she exited her vehicle.
The unidentified woman suffered head trauma, internal injuries and broken bones, according to the Glendale News Press.
Lorenz says officials will be cracking down on drivers and pedestrians who aren't following the rules of the road.
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