This Week In The News (12/09-12/13)

Woman Killed, 2 People Injured After Car Slams Into Simi Valley Home

Tuesday, December 10 (CBS Los Angeles) – A woman died after a car crashed into a Simi Valley home at Sycamore Drive and Morley Street at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Two others were hospitalized in critical condition, including one woman who was ejected from the car, and a man. The vehicle, a Nissan 350Z, overturned and struck the home after the driver had been speeding southbound on Sycamore Drive, according to investigators. Authorities say at least one person was not wearing a seatbelt, and the deceased woman had been trapped in the vehicle. The crash affected a bedroom, where a 20-year-old male was playing video games but was not injured.

Map Shows Where Cars Hit Pedestrians Most Often in Los Angeles

Tuesday, December 10 (ABC7) – Four years since Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the Vision Zero plan to eliminate pedestrian deaths, an interactive map has been introduced that shows where pedestrians were injured and killed in Los Angeles County in 2018. Hot spots include West Hollywood, Venice, and other communities where pedestrian accidents account for 20% of all collisions. On the map, deeper reds indicate higher rates of collisions, while clicking on neighborhoods reveals the number of pedestrian deaths and injuries for each. Police reported 22 pedestrian fatalities in 2018.

Doctor, Hospital Hit With $6.3M Verdict Over Misdiagnosed Heart Condition

Thursday, December 12 (Law.com) – On December 9, a Lehigh County jury reached a verdict and awarded $6.29 million to the widow of a man who died of a heart attack after being misdiagnosed by a physician. After the more than week-long trial of Cowher v. Kodali, the jury awarded $2,457,000 in wrongful death. An additional $3,833,000 was awarded for survival damages. Court papers show that cardiologist Dr. Sobhan Kodali misinterpreted test results and diagnosed James Cowher, 48, with anxiety and panic attacks when he complained of chest pains. He suffered a fatal heart attack several days later. Cowher was survived by his wife and 21-year-old daughter.

Cyclist From Colorado Killed When Car Hits Him From Behind on Highway

Wednesday, December 11 (Fox 5 San Diego) – A 63-year-old Colorado man was killed while riding his bicycle on state Route 76 in Bonsall, after being struck by a 2005 Infiniti G35. The California Highway Patrol reported the car struck him from behind, and that the accident occurred near Thoroughbred Lane before 10:00 a.m. After the crash, the 19-year-old motorist stopped at a nearby gas station to wait for law enforcement personnel, while authorities were investigating the cause of the crash.

Multi-car Pileup Shuts Down Highway in Vista

Tuesday, December 10 (Fox 5 San Diego) – A crash on state Route 78 in Vista on Tuesday morning involved up to six cars, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). All eastbound lanes of the highway were shut down following the accident near Vista Village Drive, which happened just before 5:00 a.m. Traffic was diverted to Melrose Drive. There was at least one serious injury, the CHP said, and the highway reopened at around 6:30 a.m.

Federal Court: Nurse Lawfully Terminated for Alleged Elder Abuse

Thursday, December 12 (The National Law Review) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit appealed a decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), determining that a company consistently enforced its elder abuse policy and was justified in terminating a nurse. The employer took action after the nurse acted improperly during an off-site doctor’s visit. Following the nurse’s termination, the Service Employees International Union Local 2015 filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB; while an Administrative Law Judge for the Board said the employer’s decision was justified, the full NLRB overturned this decision, which the D.C. Circuit ultimately appealed and reversed after determining the company was consistent in its enforcement.

FDA Investigating Whether Diabetes Drug Metformin Contains Probable Carcinogen

Tuesday, December 10 (KTLA5) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Metformin, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, is being investigated for traces of NDMA, a probable carcinogen. Testing will also look into whether the amount of the contaminant exceeds the acceptable daily limit of 96 nanograms. The FDA said levels of NDMA at or below this limit do not increase a person’s cancer risk. So far, Metformin drugs have been recalled in Singapore and are being investigated in Europe, while earlier in 2019, CVS announced the removal of ranitidine heartburn drugs containing traces of the contaminant.

James Leads Lakers Past Magic 96-87

Thursday, December 12 (NBC Los Angeles) – In a Wednesday night matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, the Laker’s LeBron James had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. James hit his sixth triple-double of the season. The Lakers won 96-87, with Anthony Davis scoring 16 points and Kentaviosu Caldwell-Pope scoring 15.

Baby Ejected from Car Window in Crash, Survives in Northern CA

Thursday, December 12 (ABC7) – Six-week-old Ezra Benitez survived with minor injuries after being ejected from a sport utility vehicle in Turlock on Sunday. The vehicle flipped several times, according to the California Highway Patrol, while the baby was found upside down in the car seat. Investigators said the car seat had been improperly installed. The baby boy’s father and toddler-aged brother weren’t hurt, according to authorities, but his mother was hospitalized with multiple bone fractures.