SEAL BEACH : Effort Renewed to Cut Speed Limit

A group of residents plans to meet with City Manager Jerry L. Bankston next week to discuss whether the speed limit can be reduced along a stretch of Seal Beach Boulevard where a 12-year-old was struck and killed earlier this week.

The boulevard, the main link between the San Diego Freeway and central Seal Beach, has long been viewed as a safety hazard by some residents, especially a portion that runs in front of McGaugh Elementary School and Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station housing.

Christopher Schneider was waiting to walk his bike across the boulevard en route to McGaugh Elementary on Tuesday afternoon when a car jumped the curb and hit him.

Police said suspected drunk driver Cynthia Kaye Lietz, 28, of Seal Beach caused the accident by suddenly swerving out of her northbound traffic lane, forcing another driver to lose control of his car and hit the boy.

On Friday night, friends and family of Christopher held a vigil in his memory at Seal Beach Boulevard and Anchor Way, near the accident site.

“We just want to do this for Christopher and we want to make people aware of people who drive drunk and how dangerous they are to our children,” said Vicki Gallagher, whose son was a friend of the victim.

It remains unclear whether the speed of the cars played a role in Tuesday’s accident.

Three years ago, the city fought successfully to have the speed limit on Seal Beach Boulevard reduced from 50 to 45 m.p.h. in front of McGaugh School.

Tuesday’s private meeting with Bankston is expected to be attended by Christopher’s father, Dean Schneider, a petty officer first class at the weapons station, and Councilwoman Gwen Forsythe, who has long pushed for reducing the speed limit near the school.

Renee Handler, a Marina Hill resident who witnessed the accident, said she and others are also organizing a community meeting on the subject Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Mary Wilson Library.

“The community is mobilizing around this tragedy,” said Handler, noting that 350 children live just off Seal Beach Boulevard in military housing.

Lietz faces various felony charges including reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. Police are awaiting the results of tests that will determine whether she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.