Streetlight to Shine Where Girl, 12, Was Killed by Car

Construction began this morning on a streetlight at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Archwood Street, where 12-year-old Emely Aleman was struck and killed by a car in November while crossing the street in a crosswalk.

Ten-year-old Angela Rodriguez was also seriously injured in the accident on Nov. 2, which prompted Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian to ask the City Council to speed up the construction of a street light that had been planned for 2012.

Approximately a block away from the intersection is Bellingham Elementary, a Los Angeles Unified School District school, which is still under construction and set to open in 2012. Upon its completion, the LAUSD planned to put in a traffic signal at the intersection where the girls were hit. LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan joined Krekorian in calling for speeding up the installation of the light.

“The stoplight is an important component in enabling kids to travel to school safely around busy streets in the area," said Galatzan in a press release issued by Krekorian's office. "I applaud both the City and School District for working together on this desperately-needed project."

On Dec. 8, the City Transportation Committee approved Krekorian's motion to have the light installed, seconded by Richard Alarcon and Bill Rosendahl.

"Last fall, tragedy struck our community when Emely Aleman was fatally hit by a distracted driver as she crossed the street in a crosswalk,” said Krekorian, who represents the area, in the press release. "That tragic accident occurred on a busy stretch on Laurel Canyon Boulevard that had long been in need of more safety measures. After the accident, I stood with Emely's friends and family and promised that my office would work with LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan to expedite installation of a streetlight at the intersection.

"Today, I am pleased to announce that crews have broken ground and will have the project completed well ahead of schedule. This is a bittersweet moment as we remember a life taken from us knowing that this street light will be a testament to the enduring memory of Emely and will help slow down traffic and keep our community safer."

According to people who live and work in the area, the intersection has long been a problem. Raquel Campos, a receptionist at the Laurel Canyon Dental Care office, located at the intersection, told Patch in December that she could recall three people being killed and numerous people being injured when struck by vehicles there.

"Nobody was here when the little girl was hit last month, our office was already closed," Campos said. "But, just last week we saw an older lady get hit or swiped. She didn't die, but she had to be taken away in an ambulance."

Susan Hampar contributed to this report.