LOMPOC, Calif. - A tragic accident Sunday night left an 84-year old man dead. He was hit and killed while riding his motorized wheelchair in Lompoc.
Lompoc resident Richard Tootle lives near the intersection where the car struck the man and says that an accident like that was waiting to happen. Tootle's fear of the dangerous roadway became a reality when he saw police cars and emergency crews blocking the intersection of North Avenue and R Street, right in front of his house.
84-year old Eduardo De Los Rios Salazar was hit near the middle of the street while riding his motorized wheelchair. Tootle said he saw the driver speaking with officers.
"I'd say she was very distraught. Kind of in a state of shock".
The accident occurred around 6:15 p.m. Tootle says its the time of evening when the sun is setting right in the eyes of westbound drivers. Lompoc police said they had no evidence the sun was a factor, but are investigating whether speed was.
Tootle says "I've often commented that the city or Cal Trans should put some stop signs on this stretch because people tend to speed."
The speed limit is 40 mph but Tootle sees people speeding through that stretch all the time, even while people cross the street.
"It's a dangerous combo of having crosswalks and no stop signs".
