Vigil Remembers 16-Year-Old High School Special-Needs Student Fatally Struck By 2 Cars
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An emotional vigil was held Wednesday evening for a Hamilton High special needs student fatally struck Tuesday in Palms.
David William Lindley, 16, was struck around 7 a.m. Both drivers stopped to render aid, police said. Lindley was rushed to a hospital but declared dead
The vigil, the second one of the day, took place at Venice and Robertson Boulevards, the site of the accident. The site is a five-point intersection that is dangerous for many to cross.
KCAL9's Serene Branson spoke to Lindley's devastated parents.
"My son was an angel on this planet who happens to be autistic finally coming out of his shell," said Maureen Sennhauser.
He was struck just three blocks from the school.
His emotional mother choked back tears. She said her son was trying to establish his independence.
"He wanted to do it by himself; he's been doing it fine until now," she said about crossing the busy street.
"He stepped out got hit by one car," Sennhauser said, "then he flew in air landed. He tried to get up. They think another car ran him over."
At the vigil, loved ones lighted candles and complained about the dangerous intersection.
Branson said many of the signals in the area are confusing. One gave pedestrians the impression it was safe to walk.
"It's still giving pedestrians the impression they can cross the street. I don't want any other parent family to go through what we're going through," said David Lindley Sr.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral costs.
