Zoo Drive Hit and Run Victim To Survive But May Lose His Legs

By Colin Stutz, Los Feliz Ledger Contributing Writer

GRIFFITH PARK—The 36-year-old bicyclist who was victim to a hit and run that dragged him 600 feet down the Interstate 5 onramp near the Los Angeles Zoo in February, Damian Kevitt, may lose both his legs but will survive the brutal incident.

Meanwhile, his accident has sparked increased awareness of bicycle and pedestrian safety in the region, and may help lead to stricter hit-and-run legislation statewide...

...Kevitt was wearing a helmet but broke 20 bones and crushed his right leg, which was later amputated below the knee. His left foot is missing skin and tissue and may also need to be amputated. His road rash was so extreme, his left elbow was exposed to the bone and his buttocks will require skin grafts.
He has now been released from the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge (CD4) announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction the driver. So far it has yielded no successful results. The van was also identified to have a “for sale” sign in the window.

“A car shouldn’t be a weapon. Let’s do our part to end this kind of violent crime,” LaBonge said in a statement...

...To address the issue, a month before Kevitt was hit, California State Assemblyman Mike Gatto introduced a bill that will extend the statute of limitations for such offenses to three years from the date of the offense, or one year after a possible suspect is identified by law enforcement, whichever is later. Under current law if a motorist is not identified within three years, he cannot be prosecuted.

“Damien Kevitt is just one of thousands hit-and-run victims who suffer life-threatening injuries annually,” said Gatto in a statement. “Allowing the perpetrators to avoid prosecution just adds insult to these injuries.”

Added Eric Bruins, Planning & Policy Director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, “It’s hard for us to encourage people to bike and walk, when our streets are treated like the Wild West.”

An online fundraising account has been setup to help Kevitt handle his medical fees: www.gofundme.com/26nbpc

You can read this article and more at the Los Feliz Ledger HEREMike Gatto is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada-Flintridge, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

Gatto Breaks Gound on Sunnynook River Park

Sunnynook River Park groundbreaking: golden shovels lifting ceremonial soil. Visible from left to right City Engineer Gary Moore, Councilmember Garcetti, Councilmember Reyes, Councilmember LaBonge, Recreation & Parks Assistant General Manager Kevin Regan, FoLAR founder Lewis MacAdams, and State Assemblymember Mike Gatto

July 25, 2012  Before a crowd of about 90, the city of Los Angeles broke ground on Sunnynook River Park this morning. The new Atwater Village park will be located in the mostly vacant area on the southwest bank of the Los Angeles River, between Glendale Boulevard and Los Feliz Boulevard – immediately downstream of the Sunnynook footbridge. The ceremonies were lead by Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, and included remarks from representatives from various city, state, and federal agencies and groups.

Friends of the L.A. River’s Lewis MacAdams speaks at the Sunnynook Park groundbreaking

Speakers included LaBonge, City Councilmembers Ed Reyes and Eric Garcetti, City Recreation and Parks Assistant General Manager Kevin Regan, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority’s Lisa Soghor, FoLAR’s Lewis MacAdams, Trust for Public Land’s Carolyn Ramsay, City Engineer Gary Moore, and Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Mark Toy.

L.A. Creek Freak wrote about the planned 3.4-acre Sunnynook River Park back in 2008 when it was being planned, and in 2009 when LADWP approved the park existing under their power lines. Though it’s not a big project, it’s been delayed a bit by state and city budget shortfalls.

Location of the planned Sunnynook River Park (from LAist)

It’s a fairly small all-natural, all-passive park, accessible mostly via the L.A. River bike path and via the footbridges that cross the 5 Freeway and the river. The site has had its problems over the years. It’s bordered by the 5 Freeway and the river, so it has been home to homeless encampments, mostly on the freeway-side of the site, maintained by the state transportation department Caltrans. Hopefully the park improvements can create a green space where everyone feels welcome and safe.

Construction gets underway now, and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2013.

Article from LA Creek Freak - Read this story at LA Creek Freak HERE 

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Mike Gatto is the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, and Van Nuys.  He has served in the Assembly since June 2010.  E-mail Mike at: assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov, or call (818) 558-3043.

Website of Assemblyman Mike Gatto: www.asm.ca.gov/gatto