Politics & Government

Speed Warning Signs Requested Near Carpenter Charter After Fatality

Studio City Neighborhood Council hears multitude of historical concerns of speeding and maintenance issues on section of Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

Residents living along Laurel Canyon Boulevard near Carpenter Avenue Charter School and Maxwellton Road have spoken about the speeding issues, and the Studio City Neighborhood Council has taken a stance after hearing of a fatal traffic accident involving a Hollywood casting director.

Through the Transportation Committee, the council sent a request to the city to install permanent radar speed warning signs on northbound and southbound Laurel Canyon Boulevard in that vicinity, citing a history of safety and maintenance issues.

Committee Chairman Scott Ouellette said that for about a year and a half, once that section of road was re-paved near the school, the striping was clear, the pavement markings weren't replaced and the crosswalk needed upgrading.

"Parents asked 'what can be done?'," Ouellette said. "We asked for the crosswalk to be upgraded. We felt it was underwhelming."

Luckily, Ouellette said some Carpenter parents placed cones to warn drivers of the pedestrian traffic in the vicinity. However, it wasn't enough to stop speeding.

Resident Lee Davis spoke before the neighborhood council in support of the feedback signs. About a month ago, he and his wife Lisa were driving to the Academy Theatre in Beverly Hills for a production as guests of their dear friend, and famous casting director, Marvin Paige.

Hours after the film ended, Paige still had not shown up to the theatre and calls made by Davis were not returned. The next morning he heard Page was in the intensive care unit of Cedars-Sinai.

"He died a couple days ago," Davis said.

Paige was struck in his vehicle in that area of Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

"Let's try to prevent another catastrophe like this," Davis added.

Paige's publicist Edward Lozzi confirmed with The Hollywood Reporter that the his death was caused due to injuries sustained in the accident.

A correction was made to a misspelled name in the original post. Patch apologizes for the error.


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