48-year-old man killed after car crashes through wall, flies into backyard of house in La Verne
One person was killed after their vehicle crashed through a wall and flew into the backyard of a home in La Verne Tuesday morning.
The crash was first reported at around 9:20 a.m. on St. Mark Avenue, when the car jumped the curb and continued traveling through a wall and into the home's backyard.
Neighbors in the area said they were not surprised at the accident, saying that people regularly buzz by going as fast as highway speeds.
"I've lived here my whole life," said one neighbor. "It's a very dangerous curve."
The victim was William Elftman Jr, a 48-year-old La Verne resident who died on impact.
"His vehicle was reported to the La Verne Police Department as driving at a high rate of speed," California High Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said.
Neighbor Alessio Capra said he thought he heard a bomb go off and sprang into action.
"It was over there. We see a fire going on, so we ran over there, put the fire out and that's when we noticed that that's where the car was," he said.
As investigators continued to survey the scene, Baseline Road -- which runs adjacent to the rear of the home -- was closed, but has since been reopened.
Many neighbors in the area say they've contacted the city and county to put in a traffic calming devices, all to no avail.
"Multiple emails, multiple conversations and nothing has happened," Bill Henley told CBSLA.
