SIMI VALLEY : Accident Victim’s Family Sues City

The family of a Simi Valley nurse has sued the city, the Police Department and the officer whose patrol car slammed into her compact car nine months ago, sending her into a coma.

Margaret Sphar, 45, emerged from the coma three weeks ago at the Santa Barbara hospital where she has been treated since the April 13 accident, her attorney, Geoff Wells, said.

Sphar now has the mental capacity of a first-grader and severely limited mobility, Wells said. She remains hospitalized, he said.

Sphar’s family filed suit in Ventura County Superior Court late last month accusing the city, Police Department and Officer Rick Rinehart of negligence in the crash.

It also accuses the city of failing to post signs or traffic signals at the intersection of the Metrolink entrance and Los Angeles Avenue. After the crash, the Simi Valley City Council voted to install a traffic signal at the site within two years.

Police Chief Willard R. Schlieter declined to comment on the case, referring questions to the city attorney. City Atty. John Torrance said, “We’re reviewing the complaint, and beyond that I have no comment.”

Sphar was driving slowly out of the Metrolink parking lot onto Los Angeles Avenue when Rinehart’s cruiser smashed into her Honda, popping open the smaller car’s locks and ejecting the woman onto the street.

A California Highway Patrol report said Rinehart was driving at 67 to 83 m.p.h. and braked for one to two seconds, slowing to about 53 m.p.h. just before impact. His siren and flashing lights were off, the report said. The speed limit on Los Angeles Avenue is 45 m.p.h.