/--------------------------------------------------------------------------\ | Title : abc7news.com: Driver In Market Accident Ends Silence | | Description : ** UNKNOWN ** | | | | File name : 7.21.03 abc7news Driver In Market Accident Ends | | : Silence.txt | | File size : 5,665 bytes (approx) | | Create date : 15-Jul-2006 | \--------------------------------------------------------------------------/ NOTE: The above TEXT_HEADER is absent in the registered version ------------------ Your output starts below this line ------------------ Driver In Market Accident Ends Silence ************************************** July 21 (AP) -- An 86-year-old driver whose car plowed through a Santa Monica outdoor market, killing 10 people, said he was distraught and his heart broken over the tragedy, while elsewhere hundreds of screaming and wailing mourners buried a grandmother and her 7-month-old grandson killed in last week's crash. In his first public statement since he mowed down more than 50 pedestrians in the crowded farmers market, Russell Weller said in a statement: "There are no words to express the feelings my family and I have for those who suffered loss and pain as a result of Wednesday's devastating accident. I am so very distraught, and my heart is broken over the extent of the tragedy." Weller's statement was read aloud Sunday by his pastor, Rev. Stephen C. Lien, at the Brentwood Presbyterian Church where he and his wife have been congregants for more than 30 years. Mourners at the funeral of Molok Ghoulian Nabatian, 63, and her infant grandson said Weller's statement did little to alleviate their anguish. They urged lawmakers to initiate annual driving tests for elderly drivers and demanded the city of Santa Monica erect cement barricades to protect pedestrians in the farmers market in the future. "If you're older, you need to have testing every year because if you're not a responsible driver, you shouldn't be out there," Nabatian's granddaughter, 17-year-old Stella Ahdoot of Rockville, Md., said after the funeral. "I hope that they (lawmakers) will learn from this." Sharzad Firooz, a 25-year-old mourner from Reseda, said she did not see how Weller could be prosecuted for losing control of his car, but she said farmers marketgoers needed more protection. "Some crazy person could have done this on purpose and caused even a lot more damage than this. Now that we know this could happen, it is time to prevent future accidents," she said. Mourners sobbed and screamed uncontrollably as Brendon Davidi Esfahani's tiny casket was wheeled out of the Mission Hills mortuary where a memorial service was held, and again when it was lowered into a grave alongside his grandmother's. Relatives threw flowers and fresh spices into the graves as other mourners shoveled dirt onto the caskets as is customary in a traditional Jewish funeral service. Hebrew prayers were recited as Brendon's mother, Nabatian's daughter, Janet Davidi Esfahani sobbed and clutched her husband. Brendon was their first child and Janet was at the farmer's market when her mother and son were killed. "To lose your mom and to lose your child at the same time is just unbelievable," said Alaleh Kamran, a close friend of the family. Mourners praised Nabatian, an immigrant from Iran, as a woman who loved life, always brought happiness to others and cared deeply about her family and friends. They said she loved to spend time with Brendon, who they described as a beautiful and happy baby. Some mourners said they understood why the elderly felt the need to continue driving in a city like Los Angeles where there is little public transportation. But others questioned whether Weller was a reckless driver who should have stopped driving by now. Police are investigating whether Weller may have first hit a Mercedes, then sped toward the market while leaving the scene of that collision. Police also said they found evidence that Weller hit his garage with his car at least twice. Weller's attorney, Jim Bianco, has released a statement saying the tragedy was an accident. "He should have stopped when he knew he was not supposed to drive. If anything happens to him, it doesn't matter to us anyway," said Nazi Noor, Brendon's great aunt. Police have said Weller told them he didn't realize until too late that Arizona Avenue, the street where the farmers market was held, was closed to traffic. They also said Weller believes he might have hit the gas instead of the brake as he tried to stop. "After the accident, I called pastor Lien to ask for prayers that might help bring comfort and solace to all who have been touched by this horrible event, and I continue my own prayers for all those who are suffering and grieving during this very difficult time," Weller said in his statement Sunday. The farmers market reopened Saturday but at least 11 people remained hospitalized, three in critical condition. Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. _Last updated July, 21 2003_ ============================================================================ Converted by an unregistered version of Detagger 2.4 Visit http://www.jafsoft.com/detagger/ This TEXT_FOOTER can be customised or removed in the registered version ============================================================================