Tragic Collision in Lakewood Near Cerritos Border Claims Life of Woman on Bicycle: School Bus and Car Crash Propels Vehicle onto Sidewalk, Striking Victim Near Artesia High School—Eyewitness Accounts Highlight Traffic Dangers as Community Calls for Urgent Safety Measures Following Fatal Accident on September 27″
Fatal Collision in Lakewood: School Bus and Car Accident Leads to Tragic Death of Woman on Bicycle—Community Reels as Details Emerge from Artesia High School Accident
In the early hours of September 27, 2024, a tragic accident unfolded in Lakewood, near the Cerritos border, as a school bus and a car collided, resulting in the death of a woman riding her bicycle. The horrific incident occurred near the busy intersection close to Artesia High School, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting renewed concerns over traffic safety in the area.
According to eyewitness reports, the collision between the school bus and the car forced the smaller vehicle onto the sidewalk, where it struck the bicyclist, a woman whose identity has not yet been released by the authorities. Emergency personnel arrived on the scene quickly, but despite their efforts, the woman was pronounced dead shortly after the accident. This tragedy has left many in the community mourning the loss of a life and grappling with the growing sense that the area surrounding Artesia High School has become increasingly dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
The name of the woman who lost her life has yet to be disclosed by the coroner, and there is an ongoing investigation into the exact circumstances that led to the crash. In the aftermath of this incident, local authorities and residents are voicing their concerns, calling for immediate action to address the unsafe traffic conditions that have plagued the area for years.
The Incident: Collision Between School Bus and Car Leads to Fatal Accident
The accident took place at around 8 a.m., a time when traffic in the area surrounding Artesia High School is typically heavy due to the morning commute of parents dropping off their children and buses arriving at the school. According to early reports, a school bus transporting students collided with a car near the intersection of Norwalk Boulevard and Artesia Boulevard, a well-trafficked route in the area.
The impact of the crash was severe enough to push the car onto the sidewalk, where it struck the victim who had been cycling nearby. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing the screech of tires and the loud crash before realizing that a bicyclist had been hit. The immediate aftermath was chaotic, with first responders rushing to provide assistance while bystanders, many of whom were students and parents, looked on in horror.
The woman’s body was found pinned beneath the vehicle, and despite the swift response of paramedics, her injuries proved fatal. The school bus, though damaged, did not report any serious injuries among the students onboard, according to early statements from the local school district. However, the psychological impact of witnessing such a tragic event has left many of the students and staff at Artesia High School shaken.
Community Reaction: Eyewitness Testimony and Calls for Action
In the wake of the accident, the community has been left grappling with grief, fear, and frustration over the growing safety concerns at and around Artesia High School. Residents have been quick to voice their outrage over the dangerous traffic conditions that have become all too common near the school, and many are calling for immediate safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
One eyewitness, Darlene Eskarous, who saw the aftermath of the accident as she was returning from dropping off her children at school, took to social media to express her frustration. In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, Darlene recounted her experiences of narrowly avoiding crashes in the same area and her growing concern over the lack of adequate traffic control near the school.
“On my way back from dropping the kids off from school this morning I saw the accident on the corner of Artesia High School,” Darlene wrote. “There was another crashed car on the other corner too. I’ve avoided so many crashes from people trying to make U-turns in the middle of Norwalk Boulevard, not even at an intersection, right in front of me. It’s so dangerous—teen drivers, adults, everyone. I’ve called the school before because it’s really concerning how bad it is. This is a busy street, and they need to have code enforcement or something.”
Darlene’s concerns echo those of many parents and residents who have long been calling for better traffic control measures in the area. Artesia High School is located on a stretch of road that sees significant daily traffic, and the combination of buses, parents dropping off students, and regular commuters has created what some have called a “perfect storm” of hazardous conditions. The danger is compounded by the fact that many drivers, particularly young and inexperienced student drivers, are often navigating the area in a rush, leading to frequent close calls and, tragically, deadly accidents like the one that claimed the bicyclist’s life.
A History of Accidents: Is Artesia High School’s Location Too Dangerous?
The area surrounding Artesia High School has long been a point of concern for both residents and law enforcement. With heavy traffic converging on Norwalk Boulevard and Artesia Boulevard during school hours, the risk of accidents has remained high. Parents have raised alarms for years, citing the lack of clear signage, inadequate crossing guards, and poorly enforced speed limits.
In the months leading up to this fatal crash, there had been several minor accidents near the school, including fender benders and instances of cars driving too close to pedestrians. While no prior incidents had resulted in serious injury or death, they served as warning signs of a larger issue that the community feels has been ignored for too long.
“The writing was on the wall,” said one concerned parent. “For years, we’ve been asking for better traffic control measures. There’s no reason why it should take a tragedy like this for something to change.”
Among the solutions suggested by parents and local residents are speed bumps, more prominent signage to direct traffic away from the school’s main entrance, and an increased police presence during peak traffic times. Some have even called for the school to limit vehicle access on certain roads around the campus, directing student drop-offs and pickups to less congested side streets.
Eyewitnesses Call for Immediate Safety Measures: Time for Change
The tragic accident has reignited conversations about traffic safety near Artesia High School, with residents and parents demanding immediate action from local officials. Among the most vocal is Darlene Eskarous, whose Facebook post captured the frustration of many in the community. In her post, Darlene suggested several possible changes that could improve safety in the area, including limiting access to certain roads near the school’s campus.
“I hope the person on the bike wasn’t a kid,” Darlene wrote, expressing her shock and grief. “It shouldn’t take someone getting badly injured or worse, killed, for serious action to be taken. Maybe they should no longer have openings on the side of the school that faces the main road and instead have access through the back where there are residential streets. I won’t be sending my kids to this school because it’s too dangerous.”
Her comments reflect the widespread sentiment among parents who have long been worried about the safety of students, pedestrians, and cyclists in the area. Calls for better infrastructure, such as protected bike lanes, traffic-calming measures, and more crossing guards, are growing louder as the community grapples with the devastating consequences of inaction.
Ongoing Investigation: Authorities Seek Answers to Tragic Crash
As the investigation into the crash continues, authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the collision. Initial reports suggest that both the school bus and the car were traveling within the speed limits at the time of the crash, but investigators are still examining whether distracted driving, mechanical failure, or other factors played a role in the accident.
The driver of the car, who has not been identified, was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation but did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. The bus driver and students aboard the school bus were also evaluated and released without significant injuries, though they were understandably shaken by the incident.
Coroner’s officials have yet to release the identity of the bicyclist who was killed in the crash, and it is not clear whether the victim was a student at Artesia High School or a member of the local community. However, the school district has issued a statement offering condolences to the victim’s family and assuring the public that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement in the investigation.
In the coming days, officials are expected to release more information about the crash, including any potential charges that could be filed against the drivers involved. For now, the community remains in mourning, united by grief but also by a shared determination to prevent another tragedy from happening.
Moving Forward: How the Community Can Come Together to Demand Change
As the Lakewood and Cerritos communities mourn the loss of a life in this tragic accident, there is a growing sense that urgent changes must be made to protect the safety of students, pedestrians, and cyclists in the area surrounding Artesia High School. The calls for action—whether in the form of enhanced traffic control measures, improved infrastructure, or increased law enforcement presence—are growing louder, and residents are determined to hold local officials accountable.
A community meeting has been scheduled for later this week, where concerned parents, school administrators, and local officials will discuss possible solutions to the dangerous traffic conditions near the school. Among the proposals on the table are traffic-calming measures, rerouting of certain roads, and the potential for more crossing guards during school hours.
In the meantime, parents like Darlene Eskarous are encouraging others to remain vigilant and to continue voicing their concerns. “We need to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Darlene said. “It’s
