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Car Crashes into Wokcano at 7th and Flower

By Eric Richardson
Published: Friday, September 18, 2009, at 06:44AM
Wokano Accident Eric Richardson []

Two vehicles involved in an early morning collision at 7th and Flower await removal from the scene.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — (Updated 12:00pm) A white Camry crashed through the front window at Wokcano early this morning after being involved in a two-car accident in the intersection of 7th and Flower. By 7:30am, both streets were reopened.

The crash marks the second time in less than four months that the building at 818 W. 7th has been struck by an automobile. That fact was not lost on a representative from the building, who asked not to be named. "We're wondering what comes next," he said as he surveyed cleanup.

The white Camry was traveling southbound on Flower street when it was struck by or struck a red minivan traveling westbound on 7th. The accident took place at 5:45am.

It's clear that someone ran the light, but LAPD says that early eye witness reports are conflicting.

Each vehicle had a single passenger, and both were transported for care. An LAPD on-scene said that the driver of the Camry exited the vehicle under his own power, but that the driver of the minivan had to be loaded onto a stretch by paramedics with possible paralysis.

Streets were closed for one block in each direction, but both are now re-opened.

Damage to the restaurant was limited to the main entryway. The building representative said that it would be up to the restaurant whether they would open today, but that it wouldn't surprise him to see them open. [Update (noon): The restaurant did indeed open for lunch as normal.]

On May 28 a station wagon struck the Bank of America branch in the same building at 7th and Figueroa.

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Conversation

Guest 1

karin Liljegren on September 18, 2009, at 07:52AM – #1

boy you guys are fast I was going to send you the photo I took and you've already posted! My bedroom window is about 70' away - HUGE crash sound. Thank god there not many pedestrians around at 5:45am - very lucky noone was struck.


Guest 2

Vanzant on September 18, 2009, at 08:54AM – #2

With this, and the fire at the met..very eventful. Why do cars like to crash into this building?


Guest 3

Eva on September 18, 2009, at 09:05AM – #3

I guess this was the helicopter I heard at about 6:00 a.m.


Guest 4

Brian on September 18, 2009, at 09:08AM – #4

This explains the helicopter this morning in the area!

I tell you what - I am amazed this doesn't happen more often because cars and buses just fly through the streets of downtown LA and running yellow/red lights has become the norm.


Neel Sodha on September 18, 2009, at 11:44AM – #5

Unfortunately, our law enforcement has been focused moreso on capturing illegal jaywalkers than cars running lights. Countless times I've seen cops with walkers, and cars fly in the background. The worst intersection is 9th & Figueroa. No car pays attention to the red light arrow signal.


Guest 5

ndevelopment on September 18, 2009, at 12:57PM – #6

not to be a negative nancy but their food needs a lot of help! everything is so bland!!!


Alex Brideau III on September 18, 2009, at 01:06PM – #7

I think jaywalking is a legitimate law enforcement concern, but yes, less so than speed demons or red light runners, both of whom seem to prey on our Downtown streets nightly. The worst offenses seem to occur in the wee morning hours, when few (if any) jaywalking patrols happen, however.


Christophe Serafino on September 18, 2009, at 01:08PM – #8

I just walked by and it's open for lunch.


Guest 6

Noted on September 18, 2009, at 02:21PM – #9

This is a different take on the question, "How Safe Do You Feel Living Downtown?'


Alex Brideau III on September 18, 2009, at 04:35PM – #10

...or "How Save Do You Feel Living in L.A.?"

While bad driving is quite noticeable Downtown, I dare say it's even worse in other neighborhoods. The Westside and Valley are pretty bad.


Guest 7

david on September 18, 2009, at 06:59PM – #11

bus drivers are the worst. they actually speed up for red lights. just watch 7th and broadway or 7th and hill for 10 mins. guaranteed any time day or night youll see a speeding bus blowing a light...guess that may be irrelevant for this story though.


Guest 8

Mark on September 18, 2009, at 10:59PM – #12

Wow, what an amazing picture. I always hate car wrecks, even more so when injuries are involved, but this is definitely worthy of the picture. I agree with David about the buses. They know they are big and bright and seem to think they can change lanes anytime forcing others out of the way and speed through changing lights... I have yet to see a bus get pulled over by a cop.


Guest 9

Joe on September 19, 2009, at 07:16AM – #13

I'm happy they now have a drive thru.


Guest 10

Greg Kr on September 19, 2009, at 07:33PM – #14

Awesome!


Guest 11

Natalie DeJohn on September 20, 2009, at 06:43PM – #15

That's happened twice??? Strange. Some weird magnetic pull maybe. Creepy.


Daveed Kapoor on September 21, 2009, at 10:25AM – #16

rant on how to more efficiently connect citizens: text> http://bit.ly/16OPzL
PDF> http://bit.ly/fbkVN


Guest 10

Greg Kr on September 23, 2009, at 12:25AM – #17

Now if only a plane would make a beautiful appearance we might have sum progress. Especially into the bank.


Jon Fonya on October 02, 2009, at 12:04AM – #18

Does anyone know when there are going to build out the pedestrian corners, ala in southpark (bumps out the parking lane), so there is more curb and sidewalk protecting people and slowing down cars. This is what the Traffic engineers jizz over, cars racing through downtown in the mad hurry to sit in stopped traffic on the 110....

I read a while back all the 7th street intersections and Main st) will receive a 21st-century makeover and will hopefully help prevent this danger the engineers ignore.



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