Posted by Steve, a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Jan 10, 2013 at 6:40 pm

"Pumar's defense lawyer, Dennis Smith, argued that the Mountain View resident had not been negligent in the June 21 accident"

"...Pumar was traveling somewhere between 46 mph and 62 mph when he struck Ware..."

Sigh. Only a defense lawyer would argue that speeding through residential areas at 11 to 27 miles over the posted speed limit is not being negligent. Their work should be held to a higher standard.

Posted by ORACLE, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Jan 11, 2013 at 11:21 am

Why are lawyers considered to be professionals? Lawyers are merely word Technicians who manipulate words to make money. We all know the Law is blind to Justice, but why is that so? Pumar's frantic speeding, based on scientific analysis, was so negligent as to show he had no respect for others nor did he have any sense of responsibility. He needs to pay money to Ware's family and spend a lot of time in prison.

Posted by Old Ben, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Jan 11, 2013 at 11:57 am

According to the initial reports here, Pumar got out of the car after the accident clutching his cell phone. How long had it been in his hand? Is that the first thing you grab after totalling your car, or was he on the phone while ripping down California Street at nearly twice the posted speed limit?

Posted by Sandy, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Jan 11, 2013 at 3:21 pm

The only surprise about this is that it doesn't occur more often. I have been stopped at an intersection on California twice when a car from behind pulled out and ran the light. I was able to follow one to his house and photograph the car. But because the incident wasn't observed by an officer, nothing could be done.

I know, I know. Could be dangerous.

Posted by Otto Maddox, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Jan 11, 2013 at 7:59 pm

Just because the speed limit is 35 does not mean that is the SAFE speed for that part of road. We would need to go to city hall to find out what the safe speed is for that street.

Also.. 46 to 62 is far from stating a fact. It shows how hard it is to accurately determine the speed of a car AFTER the fact.

Everyone deserves the best defense they can afford.

As far as the cellphone comment. Meh. If it's OK for the police to drive while talking on a cellphone I'm ok with everyone else doing it.