July 17, 2003

View Farmers Market in a larger map

The Santa Monica Farmer’s Market was destroyed yesterday when George Russell Weller, 86, may have accidentally pressed the accelerator of his car instead of the brake. This caused the car to go ramming through the barricade meant to keep everyone out of harms way. Witnesses said he was swerving back and forth while accelerating and hitting many people along his path during the 20 second rampage. By the time he came to a stop, he had killed 9 people and injured 63 people. A tenth victim died later adding to the extent of the tragedy.

UPDATE:  In 2008, the legal case was closed and the city of Santa Monica and other defendants paid $21 million to settle dozens of civil lawsuits as a result of the tragedy.