Tag: sunset boulevard

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Following the water main rupture in West Hollywood, a Los Angeles businessman and resident suffered a brutal fall on a street near the breakage. On July 16, RJ Holguin, owner of My 12 Step Store and RJDesign LA, was walking across Santa Monica Boulevard at 11:30 p.m. and fell on a muddy, waterlogged street after jumping back from an approaching vehicle.

The water main rupture caused the streets of Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive to become submerged in gallons of water. A giant sinkhole was the result of the sinkhole.

Holguin, whose building was flooded left home that night to investigate. He parked his car near his building and while walking on a marked crosswalk on Santa Monica Boulevard avoiding a car collision at about 12 a.m. it was noted on Holguin’s Facebook page.

Holguin told WeHo Times he felt an “electric shock” course through his body before he lost consciousness. After regaining consciousness, he reportedly struggled to speak and felt little sensation in his palms.

Holguin was taken to a hospital and reported injuries to the C3 to C6 vertebrae that compressed his spinal cord, leading to central cord syndrome. This condition can allegedly rob patients of movement and sensation in the hands and arms.

On Monday, July 27, the following message was posted on Holguin’s Facebook page:

“Following RJ’s devastating water main-related accident in West Hollywood and his successful spinal cord surgery at Cedars-Sinai, today marks Day 12 of his recovery journey.

RJ has now been transferred from Cedars-Sinai to Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital’s Acute Rehabilitation Center, where he’ll begin the next phase of his recovery.

While the hospital is currently undergoing renovations, the staff has been absolutely outstanding and has gone above and beyond to make RJ feel comfortable and supported. Here, he is receiving Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech Therapy, with a tentative discharge date of August 8.”

 

City crews have spent days repairing the damage caused by the water main rupture. Sunset Boulevard was reopened to traffic on July 24.

By Ryley Metten

TOPANGA CANYON—This week, Southern California residents and travelers can expect traffic delays while driving Pacific Coast Highway towards Topanga Canyon. Following the devastating Pacific Palisades fires, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced that crews will be working on PCH and Topanga Boulevard to repair infrastructure.

Due to this construction project, there will be road closures affecting motorists. Expected closures will take place on weekdays between 9 p.m. and 3 p.m., with speeds being reduced to 25-35 mph. These closures will take place along portions of Temescal Canyon Road and Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace.

The biggest impacts include Big Rock Drive, where Southern California Edison crews will close one lane in each direction Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pena Road to Tuna Canyon Road, where southbound traffic may be reduced to one lane while crews rebuild a retaining wall.

Near Topanga Canyon Boulevard: Northbound lanes may be reduced for slope stabilization and culvert cleanup. PCH at SR-27 as Verizon utility work will narrow traffic where crews are actively working. At the PCH & Rambla Pacifico intersection, from 8 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction while the signal is repaired.

During that time, the traffic light will be off, and drivers must treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

In addition to closures, there will be one-lane traffic controls on Topanga Canyon Boulevard from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Happy Trail and the PCH. There is also a strict 15 mph speed limit through the main Caltrans work zone Monday through Saturday.

The overall repair on the PCH is expected to wrap up at the end of this summer.

By Ryley Metten

PACIFIC PALISADES—At about 7:20 on July 16, a man fled officers from the Los Angeles Police Department West Los Angeles Division who were enforcing a felony warrant in a parking lot near Sunset Boulevard in the Pacific Palisades around 7:21 a.m. KTLA 5 first reported.

After reaching Will Rogers State Beach, the suspect entered the Pacific Ocean and started swimming towards Santa Monica but was arrested. Lifeguards entered the water on rescue boards to assess his condition.

In a video available on Facebook, the suspect, who had black hair and was wearing a darkish blue shirt and no pants, is seen being surrounded by two lifeguards lying on their boards, holding flotation devices.  The suspect treaded water, as the lifeguards spoke to him. The Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division rescue boat and a boat belonging to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was also present on the scene.

The suspect swam approximately a mile out to sea.

About an hour and a half later, he was still treading water. Lifeguards left their boards and entered the water to help him. As they tried to secure a flotation device around the suspect, he struggled against them.  The lifeguards which were joined by another from the LA County Lifeguard boat, secured the device around the suspect, allowing them to bring him toward the LASD boat.

The deputy onboard helped the first two lifeguards lift the suspect out of the water and take him into custody, while the third lifeguard returned to his boat.

The investigation is ongoing. No details on the suspect’s name have been disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood posted on its Facebook page starting Sunday, August 17, as well as Sunday, August 24, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be reduced lanes of traffic on Sunset Boulevard in both directions.

The lane reductions will be between N. Wetherly Drive and Hilldale Avenue to accommodate crane operations.

Drivers are asked to plan ahead and use alternate routes during this time.

By Danny Jones