7-Up truck runs over homeless man

SOUTH GLENDALE — A homeless man, who had just been discharged from Glendale Memorial Hospital after paramedics found him lying on the ground, was run over by a 7-Up delivery truck later that morning as he crawled along the street, officials said.

Glendale paramedics picked up the reportedly intoxicated man, whose name was not released, about 7:53 a.m. on Sept. 13 at San Fernando Road and Cerritos Avenue, said Glendale Fire Battalion Chief Greg Godfrey.

He was soon released from Glendale Memorial Hospital, and at about 9:47 a.m. he was run over on Central Avenue and San Fernando Road, about a block away from the hospital, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Hospital officials declined to comment on the specifics of the man’s care and the reasons for his discharge, citing patient privacy laws.

“Patient care and safety are our highest priorities at Glendale Memorial Hospital,” said David Mauss, vice president of business development. “We are proud of the excellent care our patients receive here, and we remain committed to providing compassionate health care to all in need.”

Before patients are discharged from the hospital, physicians and nurses “conduct a thorough medical evaluation that confirms the patient’s readiness and ability to leave the hospital,” he said.

“Patients who are in need of additional support services or long-term care are matched with those services as part of our collaboration with local social services agencies,” Mauss added.

Witnesses told police they saw the man crawling along Central Avenue near San Fernando Road on his hands and knees while holding on to a plastic bag.

Still crawling, the man entered the intersection when traffic was stopped, Lorenz said. But the light turned green before he could reach the other side, and the 7-Up truck ran him over when making a left turn, Lorenz said.

Possibly due to the girth of the truck, Lorenz said the 7-Up delivery driver didn’t know he ran over the man and continued driving.

Witnesses immediately tended to the man while another flagged down the truck driver, who returned to the scene, Lorenz said.

Police found the man lying on his back in the intersection after suffering a broken leg, he said.

“He was bleeding, and there were obvious abrasions,” Lorenz said.

The man was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was unable to provide a statement to police.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.