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Lakritz in critical condition after car crash

By Eiji Yamashita
eyamashita@HanfordSentinel.com

Community advocate Simon Lakritz remains in critical condition after a traffic accident in north Hanford on Friday night. The 77-year-old Lakritz was still on life support this morning at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, but family members say his condition improved over the weekend.

Lakritz was reportedly driving eastbound on Fargo Avenue near Douty Street when he crashed into a trailer parked on the side of the road. He was a few blocks from his home.

Initially, it was thought Lakritz was involved in a heart attack-prompted wreck, but the tests later determined that he had arrythmia. The condition caused him to faint and lose control of his car and crash, said Bradley Lakritz, one of his sons who are in town this week to be with their father.

Simon Lakritz suffered no injuries from the crash, his son said. "After three days, he's doing much better," Bradley Lakritz said. "He's still on the ventilator and heavily sedated, but he's pretty much breathing on his own."

Lakrtiz, a retired educator, is a former mayor of Hanford. He served on the city council between 1974 and 1986 and again between 1988 and 2000. He also served on the Hanford Joint Union High School District board between 2002-2006.

In Hanford, Lakritz is known as a civil rights advocate and an outspoken liberal who is well-respected in the community.

Though still unconscious, Lakritz reportedly remains responsive. His breathing was normalized as of last night, according to his son. A CT scan was performed Sunday night on Lakritz's chest to determine the status of his lungs. If the lungs are found to be clear of fluid, Lakritz could be taken off the ventilator, Bradley Lakritz said.

"We're very confident and hopeful," he said. "A lot of people are calling us and knocking on the door to tells us how much they care about him. It makes us feel very good that he is in the hearts and minds of everybody."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(July 21, 2008)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

Simon Fan wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:55 AM:

" Hang tough bud! You are in our prayers. "

dd wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:21 PM:

" Get well soon Mr. Lakritz. "

McFly wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:35 PM:

" Prayers for a full & speedy recovery. "

God Be With You wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:50 PM:

" You are such an asset to this community. Stay strong! "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:13 PM:

" Mr. Lakritz, hope you have a speedy and complete recovery. You've done so much for this community and many of us have not taken the time to Thank You properly or publicly. Thank You Mr. Simon Lakritze for all you've done as an educator and as a public servant providing the publics best interest foremost in your mind. Heal soon old friend. "

DaTruth wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:13 PM:

" I hope Mr. Lakritz has a speedy recovery... Although his injuries were not directly related to the crash, the PD needs enforce the laws in regard to people parking their oversized trailers on city streets. There are several toy haulers in the Douty / Fargo area which are parked for days in front of homes and over the white lines. Its only a matter of time before they get hit... "

dooozie wrote on Jul 21, 2008 2:25 PM:

" We are all praying for you Si. Get well soon. "

Carl Spackler wrote on Jul 21, 2008 2:34 PM:

" Speedy recovery, sir. "

Melissa and Armondo Love wrote on Jul 21, 2008 2:53 PM:

" Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lacaritz family during this difficult time. I hope Mr. Lacaritz makes a full recovery. "

Sarah Clifford wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:00 PM:

" Get well soon! We are all thinking about you. "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:00 PM:

" Get well soon, Mr. Lakritz.

I hope the city will soon ban the parking of trailers and toy haulers on the streets of Fargo Avenue. And some Hummers, too: there was a Hummer parked on Fargo Ave. near the Rite Aid and it was tagged by some vehicle. The Hummer was just too wide for that area. So are trailers, haulers, and the occasional RV/boat combo. "

Cindy Camara wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:04 PM:

" We're thinking about you Si! Get well soon. "

to DA Truth wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:13 PM:

" Whether a trailer, oversized vehicle or mini cooper, the issue isn't a vehicle. I hope Mr. Lakritz gets better and quickly. The PD shouldn't be out there ticketing trailers, there are other issues to handle. If you don't like trailers, don't look at them. Also, these vehicles should not be ticketed UNLESS someone knows for a fact they have been there exceeding 72 hours. Leave it to the PD to chalk them, then ticket. A call from a nosy neighbor or someone driving by stating it has been there 72 hours should not suffice as they cannot watch the trailer to ensure it has not been moved. "

A True Leader wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:21 PM:

" Simon has been a true pioneer in our community as a civil rights advocate. My thoughts are with you Simon and I know you will pull through this.

heidi wippel "

hopemorkawa wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:55 PM:

" Hang tough, Si! You are a beloved member of our community. Best , most genuine Liberal in town!
Get well, soon.

Hope "

Seth Nidever wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:00 PM:

" Si: Stay strong, my friend. Your friendship has greatly enriched me. "

CIF wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:58 PM:

" Si (I know how much you love to be called that),
You are and have been a mentor to so many of us - in the field of education, in the realm of politics, in life. We may not always agree on things, but at least we know where we stand. Get well soon, my friend; I still need you to keep me on my toes! "

Proud Dad wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:46 PM:

" Best of luck to you and your supportive family Mr. Simon Lakritz.

To "to DA Truth" Who else is going to ticket these vehicles? It doesn't take an uniformed officer off of the street so to speak, the City of Hanford has a parking enforcement officer the last time I checked. There needs to be limitations on what is parked on the street for safety reasons (like being able to see traffic when you are trying to pull out)and to prevent cars from being abandoned, I have been watching a couple of cars in a section of town that I drive by quite a bit and the flat tire(s) and the spider webs attached to the ground are pretty good indicators that the cars have been there over 72 hours. "

Dandre wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:40 AM:

" God bless ya, Si!
See you at the market. "

Johnny Holly wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:24 AM:

" You are in our thoughts Si! We'll pray for a speedy recovery. "

JRC wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:58 AM:

" The vehicles parked in front of the house closest to Rite Aid have been hit at least three times that I have noticed. There was a trailer first. It was hit from behind and jammed into the truck. Then the Hummer. Then another, but I don't recall what it was. I wonder if his insurance keeps going up, with all those vehicles being hit. "

To toDaTruth wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:16 AM:

" You must be a trailer owner... I know for a fact, since I travel these roads daily, that many of these trailers are parked for weeks without being moved, yet alone 72 hours. Heck, several of them have extension cords run out to them and jacks set under them! The PD has community service officers (meter maids), who would provide a better service by ticketing your trailers than people parking for more than 2 hours downtown. These trailers are an eye sore and a danger to traffic. Take a drive and look, I bet there is at least one if not two toy haulers parked near the Douty and Fargo intersection this very moment. "

Nick Jones wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:17 AM:

" Simon is a OUTSTANDING person and GREAT friend. I'm wishing ALL THE BEST for him and his family, GET WELL SOON BUDDY. "

Scott Tucker wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Dear Mr. Lakritz: Here's wishing you a speedy recovery. "

Take Care Si wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:47 AM:

" First and foremost I want to wish Si a speedy recovery. Secondly, I am kind of tired of seeing toy haulers, rv's, and utility trailers on the streets. I myself pay $40 a month to keep my trailer off the street so that it doesn't cause a traffic hazzard and also to improve my relationships with my neighbors. I wish the city had enough code enforcement officers to keep an eye on this stuff. "

GET REAL wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:02 PM:

" FIRST OFF HOPE MR. LAKRITZ GETS WELL SOON. THIS INCIDENT HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN WHETHER IT WAS IN FACT A MEDICAL CONDITION OR WHAT, STILL AN ACCIDENT REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE HAD THERE NOT BEEN A TRAILER AND INSTEAD A CHILD OR WORSE, WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.. THIS TRAILER WAS OBVIOUSLY OFF THE ROADWAY, THIS ROADWAY IS NOT THAT NARROW EITHER. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT PEOPLE, THE TRAILER DIDNOT JUMP OUT IN FRONT OF MR. LAKRITZ... PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO ESCAPE RESPONSIBILITY OR BLAME OTHERS. GET WELL SOON... "

Jerry Renee wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:24 PM:

" Stay with us Si.

We're pulling for you! "

Trailer owner wrote on Jul 22, 2008 1:16 PM:

" Yes I am and it is in storage. The minimal time I have it at my own residence to pack for a trip my neighbors complain. I've been the victim too many times to count while they park their vehicles on the street and take off on trips exceeding 72 hours in addition to letting their dogs run wild while they ignore the leash law. It's not just a trailer, it's a vehicle law. If you report me. I will report you. Treat others the same as you want to be treated. The parking officer should concentrate on the schools where it's needed and people parking in handicapped spots. Better ticket revenue too.

I wonder if he would have hit a house, gone into the intersection, etc. had the trailer not been there. Thank God for trailers. "

Proud Dad wrote on Jul 22, 2008 1:33 PM:

" To Get Real...

Never said the trailer was to blame...it is very fortuate that a person was not hit...but there is a issue with travel trailers being parked in the streets. What's next semi trailers? See a trend? "

Chapman University wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:03 PM:

" Your friends at Chapman University wish you a speedy recovery. We are waiting for you to visit us at our new location. You always bring a smile to our face with your humor and good nature.

You were instrumental in the process of relocating our offices and classroom facility. For this we will be forever grateful. You are a great educator, good friend and, supporter of the community.

Get well soon! "

dick williamsThe Choir wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:22 PM:

" Our thoughts are with you and your boys.
May a speedy recovery be yours and allow
you to help the liberal vote in November. "

Jim Deborah Brightwell wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:13 PM:

" Dear Mr. Simon Lakritz,
Please get well soon-this community needs you and your mentoring so very much! Your comments and letters are always read with great interest in our house. You're direct in your opinions and you make others think and debate issues that are important. Your satire and humor is quite a treat for us as it is for others. Our prayers are with you and your family. Jim and Deborah Brightwell "

Jerry Sojfer wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:34 PM:

" Dear Si,
We do not agree on much politically, but I consider you a friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Recover quickly, so we can continue our discussions, and my futile attempts to bring you to the good side of the force!
May God Bless You
Your friend,
Jerry "

HOUR ORDNANCE wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:12 PM:

" I CANT BELIEVE WE TICKET VEHICLES,VESSELS LEGALLY REGISTERED AND TAGGED UPON PUBLIC STREETS DUE TO THEM BEING PARKED FOR 72 HOURS OR MORE. I JUST DONT GET IT ESPECIALLY IF THERE NOT INOPERABLE OR ABADONDED, CITY OFFICIALS GET A LIFE OR PERHAPS A NEW CAREER... THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS.... "

Si Fans wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:15 PM:

" Best wishes Mr. Lakritz on continuing to recover. You are in our thoughts! "

Shirley Crawford wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:20 PM:

" Hope you get well soon my neighbor! We'll keep you in our prayers. "

ROADWAY ACCIDENT DETAILS wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:38 PM:

" Mr. Lakritz' accident most likely could have been avoided.

He struck a parked extra wide trailer that takes up almost one half of the eastbound lane on Fargo. This same trailer and a car were hit a couple of years ago in a very similar accident in the same spot.

It looks like the owner-operator is running a gardening or lawn maintenance service out of this residence. The large trailer truck combo is parked after a normal workday, overnight, and on weekends. Been that way for many years. In the winter firewood is stacked, advertised by a sign, and sold from the driveway. One often drives by six or seven parked cars, trucks and SUVs - large vehicles parked on both sides of the street.

Satellite photos from Google Earth - which anyone can download - show an extra-wide trailer and vehicles that significantly protrude into the lane.

Someone needs to look into this accident scenario waiting to happen.

Wait; it already did happen. At least twice.

Where can we report this continuing road hazard situation anyway?

Please get well soon Mr. Lakritz! "

To Hour Ordance wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:19 PM:

" You dont get it...? I will agree that people should not have to move "operable" cars once every 72 hours, but big trucks and trailers are a different issue. For one, theyre an eye sore and secondly and most importantly theyre a hazard. Big trucks and trailers block the view of drivers and impeded into the roadway which causes a road hazard. Also, if there isnt some sort of ordinance then people will be parking cars and trailers everywhere and in time the city will look like the Tachi reservation, with inoperable vehicles parked everywhere. I dont know about you, but I dont want my neighborhood looking like "Sanford & Sons" junk yard. If you buy a trailer, pay to store or find a friend who owns a place in the country where you can park it. It's funny though that since this thread has started many of the trailers that are routinely parked in the street are either backed into driveways or moved. Wonder why...? "

Mine v. yours wrote on Jul 23, 2008 3:46 PM:

" It's the I have stuff and you don't so I'm reporting yours syndrome. Not my problem if you can't budget your money to purchase fun stuff. I rent a spot for my trailer. I'm not talking tractor trailer, those are not allowed to be on the street in the city. I'm talking small travel trailer (an RV is larger).

Jealousy, that's what I thought. Thanks for the back up. "

To Hour Ordance wrote on Jul 23, 2008 5:01 PM:

" There was a letter to the Editor within the last week on this very subject. There are ordances, the City chooses NOT to enforce them. It is a "complaint only" system. The Code Enforcement Section of the City is holding for ransom the safety of citizens and the value of our property. They want people to complain or some horrible catastrophe to happen so that those in charge will hire more people and give them raises. Try calling, see what happens.

You can not go a few feet where I live without seeing cars that have been parked for months, caked with dirt, trailers that are permanently parked=can't see the children as they play and chase a ball in to the street, etc. Police either. Someone will have to die and it be a blatant violation before anything is done. They need to make some changes in that office. The City Manager should do some enforcement of his own. "

TO PROUD DAD wrote on Jul 23, 2008 6:55 PM:

" SO WOULD IT MATTER IF IT WERE A SEMI TRUCK? HOW DO U THINK YOU GET YOUR FUEL FOOD ETC ALL BY TRUCK, WHILE UR AT IT U MIGHT AS WELL COMPLAIN ABOUT SCHOOL BUSES,KART ETC.. "

DMV SCHEDULED REVIEW wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:35 PM:

" THIS IS FOR ALL DRIVERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH SEIZURES OR OF AGE WHO REALLY SHOULDNT BE DRIVING IN THE FIRST PLACE. DMV SCHEDULED REVIEW.... "

Carl Spackler wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:19 AM:

" The enforcement of the parking laws is indeed selective. I got a ticket for parking my car with a for sale sign on it at the northwest corner of Douty and Fargo. Why, I have no idea. However, if you go look at the same exact spot now now, there is a rental house on the west side of Douty north of Fargo that usually has 5-6 cars and a boat parked every which-way all over the sidewalk and lot - a definite hazard and eyesore. Been that way for years now. No citations for them. "

Response to Carl Spackler wrote on Jul 24, 2008 11:42 AM:

" Your last post about getting ticketed is the only thing you've posted on these blogs that I agree with. It proves that unless someone has a negative experience with the City, whether it is HPD or whoever, they are myopic when it comes to the subject of others' woes.

I have never been ticketed but am concerned about property values. It seems that City Council, City Manager and Enforcement Department do not care.

They have their own political agendas and the people who pay taxes for the City salaries whether it is local sales, property or state income tax, they just do not care.

I am speaking the truth when I say that my street has RV's, trailers, children on ATV riding at night on my street. I have tried to pass these vehicles, not hit these children and have had to pull over while a HPD vehicle went by (I guess they were just visiting friends, because they did nothing to stop what's happening in my neighborhood) because not both of us could drive down my street because supersize RV was parked reducing two lane street to one lane road -all visibilityblocked. "

to proud dad wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:25 PM:

" maybe you should apply for a code enforcement position, please contact city personnel. lol.... "

PD Not Code Enforcement wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:35 PM:

" Just to clarify a couple of things. Negative posts here about Code Enforcement are not entirely fair. Any vehicle parked on the street is out of their jurisdiction. Vehicles on a public street are subject to the Vehicle Code and therefore PD needs to take action. Sometimes a call to them works, sometimes it doesn't. Vehicles on private property are handled by Code Enforcement and you do need to notify them. The reason they operate on a complaint-only basis is because there are only 2 of them to cover the entire city. There's no way they have time to drive around looking for violations. When you call them, a complaint is logged in and prioritized - safety issues have the highest priority. For those of you who think they "don't do anything" you might want to ask how many cases they logged last year and how many were resolved. And, no, I don't work for code enforcement. But I've made complaints, had the process explained to me, and actually had some things resolved. Sometimes it takes longer than you think it should, but you are welcome to check back with them to see what the status is. "

Boyce Duprey wrote on Jul 24, 2008 11:52 PM:

" Shouldn't the fact that someone 77 years old, driving with a heart condition was the cause of the accident?

Was his heart condition previously known? If so was he taking meds. Was he following Dr's advice? Couldn't his son have said "It's ok dad, I'll drive"?

The trailer got in the way. Shouldn't have been there maybe. What if he had gon the other way and hit a minivan with a family and wiped them out.

Pensioners with health problems that could cause them to pass out shouldn't be driving. It's dangerous. "

Response to PD Not Code wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:54 AM:

" Enforcement:

You are giving incorrect information. If there are only two people sent out to look at violations then that is how many people they chose to go out. There are more people than that in the office. And what I said stands.

They do not enforce Code. Maybe they did for you, but they did not for others that I have talked with and seen with my own eyes. "

OUT OD SITE OUT OF MIND wrote on Jul 27, 2008 9:00 AM:

" A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ON HERE ABOUT CARS,TRUCKS,RVS,TRAILERS ETC. BEING PARKED PREDOMINANTLY IN NORTH HANFORD. ONE PERSON SAID THAT THEY DIDNOT WANT THERE NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKING LIKE THE N D N RES. THATS GREAT JUST REMEMBER MORE SERIOUS CRIMES GO ON NORTH OF TOWN MORE SO THAN SOUTH OF TOWN. LOOK AT ALL THE CONVICTED FELONS IN YOUR AREAS,LOL. I DONT SEE ANY WHITE PICKET FENCES NORTH OF TOWN EITHER. ITS ALL OUT OF SITE OUT OF MIND.. LOOK BACK 10 YRS NORTH HANFORDS CRIMES AND SOUTH HANFORDS CRIME YOU BE AMAZED. PERCEPTION PERCEPTION IS DECEPTION DECEPTION... "

Nick Jones wrote on Jul 28, 2008 2:47 PM:

" I just called and talked to Si today. He was in physical therapy at the time, so we weren't able to talk long, but he asked me to tell everyone HELLO for him. "

Great News wrote on Jul 28, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Thanks for letting everyone know that he is up and about. He is a valuble asset to this community. "

Hanford Mom wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:36 PM:

" Today, I was on my way back from the mall travelling on Fargo Avenue heading east. Oncoming traffic was heavy and there was a big truck heading in my direction and slightly over the line. I had to move over, but then had to move back into my lane because, guess what? There was a looming white cargo trailer in front of me with a crumpled back end. Guess what, Si? It's still a danger in the EXACT same location.

Wishing you well, my friend. "

Mike and Melissa Madruga wrote on Jul 29, 2008 10:59 AM:

" We're thinking of you always Mr. Lakritz, and want to see you out and about VERY SOON!! You're a strong man, you can pull through anything...love you. "

Carl Spackler wrote on Jul 29, 2008 11:33 AM:

" Hey! The city reads your blogs. I was coming down Douty to work and just before Fargo a guy had a motor home parked in the street. The little scooter traffic guy was writing him up with lights flashing.

Please note: In defense of the morot home guy, he doesn't chronically park it in the street. Usually just when he is loading up for a trip. So it actually kind of sucks he was getting a ticket. "

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