A longtime member of West Hollywood's Disabilities Advisory Board was taken to a hospital Saturday afternoon after a Volkswagen struck the wheelchair she was using while she crossed at Santa Monica Boulevard and North Flores Street, according to witnesses. They said the impact tipped her chair onto its side, and that she stayed conscious and talking as first responders arrived.
As reported by WEHOonline, witnesses identified the woman as Anny Semonco, a sitting member of the city's Disabilities Advisory Board. They told the outlet the Volkswagen was turning right when it hit her wheelchair and knocked it over, with one witness saying she appeared to strike her head but remained able to speak. A witness who works at the nearby Gelson's said Semonco at first declined to go to the hospital, and local resident Larry Block told the outlet he rushed to the scene after receiving a Citizen app alert.
The City of West Hollywood's official advisory board roster lists Anny Semonco as an active member of the Disabilities Advisory Board, appointed by Councilmember John Heilman. That public record confirms her long-running role as a local advocate on accessibility and mobility issues.
Deputies from the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded while traffic continued to move through the intersection, witnesses said. By Saturday evening, sheriff's officials had not released word on possible citations or initial findings in the case, according to WEHOonline. The crash remains under active investigation.
Investigation and how to help
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station at (310) 855-8850, the number listed on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department website. For emergencies, people should dial 911.
Crosswalk safety in WeHo
The crash occurred on a heavily traveled stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard that the city has flagged for ongoing pedestrian upgrades under its Target Vision Zero and mobility plans. City of West Hollywood planning documents describe signal work and leading pedestrian intervals along Santa Monica Boulevard that are intended to cut down on traffic injuries and improve access for people who use mobility devices.
The circumstances of the collision remain under review, and city and sheriff's officials had not issued a public statement as of Saturday evening. This story will be updated if officials release additional information.
