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City Council approves $12.5M settlement in fatal stroller crash

The San Diego City Council Tuesday unanimously approved a $12.5 million payment to settle a lawsuit brought by a family that contends dangerous driving conditions led to a roadway accident that kil...

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8/CNS) - The San Diego City Council Tuesday unanimously approved a $12.5 million payment to settle a lawsuit brought by a family that contends dangerous driving conditions led to a roadway accident that killed a baby and injured her father.  

The litigation stemmed from a March 2, 2015, crash at Catalina Boulevard and Cannon Street. Police said David Allen Hoban told them his view was obstructed by foliage as he entered the intersection and struck a man who was pushing his 7-month-old daughter in a stroller around 6:30 a.m.  

Nicole Burgess remembers the crash, which happened as Juniper Aavang's parents - visiting from Illinois - were out on a walk. 

Juniper's mom had already made it across the street when an SUV hit John Aavang who was pushing their infant daughter. 

John suffered severe injuries and Juniper died the next day

Burgess frequents the area on her bike and is one of many people who says the intersection is still dangerous despite steps to make it safer. 

"It was a tragedy," Burgess said. "There's very high traffic still coming around this corner." 

The family's attorney, Robert Hamparyan, said the city was aware of the obstruction after having received complaints from residents in the area.  

There have since been some changes to the area including: vegetation being cleared, a tree trimmed and a traffic light added for pedestrians, but some nearby residents fear that may not be enough. 

"They still can't see you...I mean, the light they can see, but they can't see you and they're going too fast," said Kris Robillard Humphrey. 

Other differences include modified striping and northbound Catalina Boulevard was reduced to a single lane.  

While many appreciate the changes, some wonder if any of them would have prevented this tragedy.  

"It's a very sad thing and it's not a win-win for anybody," said Robillard Humphrey. "It's just a loss for the family and the money people are gonna have to pay." 

Defendants in the lawsuit also included property owners John and Helia Reis and the Point Loma Woods Property Owners' Association.  

The parties reached a tentative settlement in April in which the Aavangs will receive a total of $18 million from all defendants combined. The City Council gave initial blessing to its portion of the agreement in closed session in May. 

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