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Revised 02/25/97 01:40 PM
There has been a tragedy in Acton. An auto accident on Escondido Canyon Road has claimed one life and scarred another.
We are referring, of course, to the recent death of Lynn Watt, and the young man from of our community who was also involved. He has now been released from the hospital and is recovering at home (2/12/97 update) from serious injuries. From all reports he is responsible, hard working and not a "risk taker" or "thrill seeker". He is just a nice young man who was involved in a terrible accident.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident is under investigation and any remarks being made as to how it happened, whether there was a third car involved which forced his car off the road, or if he was speeding, are all speculative at this time. They say the facts are not in yet.
How then can Lillian Smith in a letter to herself in her "country jo urnal" make the repulsive and irresponsible remarks and accusations about "excessive speeds, careless attitudes, risk takers and thrill seekers", all alluding to this young man?
Yes, Lillian, you are making assumptions about something you know nothing about. You are creating more pain for the families involved and you should be ashamed of yourself for pointing a finger when you don't know all the facts! Do you know more than the CHP?
It is true that we have careless, irresponsible commuters with attitude problems speeding through Acton, and that we need to do something about them. We will be publishing and submitting recommendations to L A County for slowing down the speeders such as more stop signs. This would make our country roads less inviting to commuters.
This young man was not one of those commuters, so why do you put him in the same category? Your letter was callous, blind and heedless to the fact that all concerned in this tragic accident are suffering, from the immediate families of those involved, to friends and relatives. All of them will have to live with this the rest of their lives.