1 killed in crash outside South L.A. school; parents say road is known for speeding, street stunts

After a person was killed in a crash outside a South Los Angeles middle school, residents said more needs to be done to protect children from the dangerous street that is constantly filled with speeding drivers. The crash happened Tuesday near Vernon and McKinley Avenues, just outside George Washington Carver Middle School around 7 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Surveillance video captured a driver crashing into a parked car on the busy street. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.  The deadly collision happened just before the school day was set to begin. Residents said that despite the intersection being designated as a school zone, drivers often ignore the signs and are constantly speeding in the area. "It's kind of scary because to be walking on the streets knowing that people will crash and hit people," said Teshanti Cash, a middle school student. "It's very dangerous that we don't have lights on every corner because kids are walking up and down these streets,” said Janilah Dubose, another student. Although no other people were injured in Tuesday’s crash, the intersection was one street away from where a 12-year-old boy was struck and killed by a driver while walking home from school in April 2024. Derrick Serrano, 12, a 6th grader at Washington Carver Middle, was crossing the street near Vernon and Wadsworth Avenues when he was killed. His mother, Claudia Gramajo, believed his death could have been prevented if proper safety measures had been put in place. Parents said the busy intersection is noticeably devoid of any crosswalks, signs or safety signals to protect students. Residents and community members said students are risking their lives every day by being forced to navigate heavily congested roads and intersections right outside their school. "It was sad,” Cash said of Serrano’s death. “Knowing this is a school zone, that shouldn't be going on." In addition to heavy traffic, the area is also known for reckless drivers performing dangerous street stunts and sideshows. Neighbors said the area desperately needs more pedestrian safety infrastructure and community members have been advocating for a traffic light or other features like speed bumps or a flashing light to slow traffic down. Cash and Dubose said they want to feel safe when crossing the street and shouldn’t be worried about whether their lives are in danger every day. "I want people to be more responsible and respectful of other people's kids,” Cash said. The cause of Tuesday’s crash remains under investigation. LAPD has not released the identity of the driver who was killed. KTLA has reached out to the councilmember who oversees the South Park neighborhood for comment and is awaiting a response.