Pedestrian Killed In Goleta Accident Identified
The woman killed while pushing a stroller in the crosswalk in Goleta on Monday night has been identified as Shuguang Lui of Bejing, China.
The woman was pushing a 20-month-old boy, a relative, when the pair was hit on the intersection of Cathedral Oaks Road and Santa Marguerita Drive.
Candles were flickering near a memorial of flowers and toys near the accident site.
Sheriff’s deputies said an 18-year-old driver hit the woman and toddler around 5:15 p.m.
Neighbors rushed to help and when it was over, they again raised concerns about what they consider a dangerous and now deadly intersection.
“We are all upset but we need to use that energy to heal and think about the woman we lost, the child in the hospital and also the poor young person that was driving the car. So they will need to be in our thoughts. It’s a time for healing so let’s use that anger in that manner,” said Goleta Mayor Roger Aceves.
Goleta city leaders have plans to improve the intersection. The city website indicates it construction is anticipated for late 2013. It will still need to be put out to bid before the project starts.
Richard Rojas was one of the many people who rushed to help. He has lived in the neighborhood for 16 years and recognized the small child on the night of the accident.
“You can imagine when an accident happens, it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, what’s going on?’ And as the women separated who were tending to him, I could see his face and immediately knew it was our neighbor,” said Rojas.
He and others did what they could before help arrived. One neighbor told NewsChannel 3 he got his CPR certification just weeks ago and ran over to the woman who was hurt.
Rojas and his wife did something just as hard, telling the family of the woman about what happened.
“So we went to the house where the baby and his family live and announced to the elder, I think the grandfather, that there had been a tragic accident and that he should respond to the hospital and he did,” he said.
Rojas said his community is now coming together to support their neighbors.
“From what we can tell it’s a very sad time, a tragic loss,” he said.
The driver has not been charged and the investigation continues.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said the toddler is in stable condition and recovering from his injuries. A neighbor told NewsChannel 3 the child may have gone home Monday night.
