Man Injured in Patrol Car Crash to Get $1.25 Million

A Van Nuys man whose leg was crushed against a light post in an accident involving a Los Angeles Police Department patrol car was awarded $1.25 million Tuesday.

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the settlement for Isaac Zamora, 28, a gardener from Mexico.

“It’s an extremely reasonable settlement, given the circumstances of the case,” said Todd Macaluso, Zamora’s attorney. “This was a hard-working kid who used to be very active and now has to cope with losing a limb.”

The accident occurred in September 1999 at Terra Bella Street and Beachy Avenue in Arleta. Zamora was waiting for a bus about 3:30 p.m. when a patrol car, responding to a call for backup, sped through a red light and hit another car, Macaluso said.

That car hit Zamora, crushing his left leg against a light post.

After a series of operations at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Zamora’s leg was amputated above the knee.

“We have eight witnesses who saw the police car bolt through the intersection with no lights and no sirens,” Macaluso said.

Neither the LAPD nor the city attorney’s office would discuss the case.

“The injury was just devastating to Mr. Zamora,” said Deputy City Atty. Dan Woodard. “What else could we say?”