Local News in Brief : Official Says Time Spent on Rescue Not a Factor in Death

Studio City residents upset over a rubbish truck crash last year that killed a 64-year-old motorist were told Tuesday night that a five-hour rescue effort did not contribute to the driver’s death.

“The individual was probably dead when we got at the scene,” Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Alan Schroeder told members of the Studio City Residents Assn.

Studio City resident Jack Lerner died Nov. 4 when the commercial rubbish truck’s brakes allegedly failed as it turned onto Ventura Boulevard from Carpenter Avenue, causing the truck to topple onto Lerner’s car.

Some onlookers had complained that the rescue was delayed when firefighters ran out of the wooden timbers they were using to lift the garbage truck off the victim’s crushed automobile. At last, a spectator provided them with more.

Later, onlookers said, fire officials got into an argument with tow truck drivers over how to right the overturned truck.

Schroeder said paramedics had pronounced Lerner dead by the time both incidents occurred, although onlookers may not have been aware of it.

He said the firefighters’ goal after the victim died was to remove the body cautiously and turn the heavily loaded truck upright “without killing someone” else.

After receiving complaints about the incident, the residents group arranged for Schroeder’s appearance through City Councilman Mike Woo’s office, said Polly Ward, association president.