By Mary O’KEEFE

As with every start of the new school year, CVW reminds drivers to be aware of pedestrians, and pedestrians to be alert to drivers.

Many local neighborhoods do not have sidewalks, making many streets difficult to traverse for both drivers and pedestrians. The sun is a factor, especially in the morning in some areas near Rosemont Middle School, like Los Amigos Street where there are no sidewalks, a narrow roadway and, in the morning, bright sunlight that can obstruct vision.

The sun is what a driver allegedly reported as a cause for a recent accident that involved a student.

California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Fire Dept. responded to a vehicle verses pedestrian at 6:35 p.m. on Aug. 29 in the 2500 block of Fairmount Avenue. CHP confirmed the victim was a juvenile but no other information was available.

Neither agency released any additional information; however, witnesses reported seeing paramedics responding to the victim on the street after being struck by a vehicle. The driver reportedly stated the sun was in his eyes and he did not see the pedestrian. The victim was talking to emergency responders.

Students, parents and others who are on the walkways and roadways are advised to be cautious and to use crosswalks when available and not to be distracted by cellphones.

Drivers are advised to give themselves enough time to drop off their student, know the drop off areas at the schools and obey traffic laws.

  Mary Okeefe