Two seniors hit while crossing the same downtown intersection
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

In separate incidents eight days apart, first a Moorpark woman and then her husband were struck in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Moorpark Avenue and Third Street in downtown Moorpark.

A car hit Amelia Martinez, 77, on Jan. 30, and a converted street sweeper struck her 75-year-old husband Juan Martinez on Feb. 7.

"There is a pedestrian crosswalk there, but nobody really stops," said Maria Martinez, the elderly couple's daughter-in-law.

The accidents occurred at the same exact location but on different days of the week and at different times, said Senior Dep. Tom Wooff of the Moorpark Police.

Both the husband and the wife sustained minor injuries. Each was taken to the hospital to make sure there was no internal bleeding or broken bones. Although Juan Martinez's arm was dislocated during the accident, he and his wife are back home and recovering, Maria Martinez said.

When Maria Martinez went to report the accidents to the police, she was told there have been a number of such incidents at that particular crossing, said her employer, Debra Tash.

"Something should be done before there is a major tragedy there. Many young mothers use that crossing with their children, Tash said. . Neither of the drivers in the accidents was speeding or driving under the influence, Wooff said. Both stopped to render help and both were insured.

Although pedestrians have the right of way, before proceeding to cross a street they should always make eye contact with drivers and be sure they are slowing down, Wooff said.

City staff members are reviewing accident statistics for the area and for the intersection at Third Street and Moorpark Avenue in particular, said Hugh Riley, assistant city manager for Moorpark.

Last year the city installed a flashing crosswalk at Second Street and Moorpark Avenue, the area's most heavily used path for pedestrians. However, there are currently no plans to install flashing lights or to make any improvements at the Third Street crosswalk, Riley said.

While marked or lighted crosswalks encourage pedestrians to cross at locations where drivers are more likely to expect them, they don't necessarily prevent accidents, he said.

"Painted stripes and flashing lights will not protect pedestrians from cars and trucks. Their safety depends on their own awareness and drivers that are paying attention and observing the traffic laws," Riley said.

Moorpark Avenue is a busy state route frequented by trucks and regional traffic.