(October 17, 2006, update) -- In a terrible accident shortly before sunrise today (Oct. 17), a 39 year old pedestrian crossing Ocean Blvd. near its intersection with 36th Place (east of Redondo Ave.) was struck and killed by an LBPD police car on routine patrol (not responding to call for service, presumably at normal speed).

LBPD says Kathryn Stephens, 39, of Lakewood was struck by the police car as she was crossing from north to south across Ocean Boulevard.

LBPD says the police car, driven by a 27 year veteran (not identified in an LBPD release), was traveling eastbound on Ocean Blvd, east of 36th Place at about 6:30 a.m. [Independent sources list sunrise at 6:59 a.m.]

Photojournalist Diana Lejins was on scene for the grim aftermath. A police helicopter hovered overhead...and later landed on Ocean Blvd.

Photo credit: Diana Lejins

Ms. Lejins says multiple media reps were kept at a considerable distance from the scene. [We also noticed this on ABC7's 11 a.m. live shot from the scene.] We cropped Ms. Lejin's original photo to better show the location...and from this perspective, there appears to be a slight crest shortly before the site in the eastbound direction.

Photo credit: Diana Lejins

LBPD's Accident Investigation Detail is examining the circumstances of what took place. Anyone with information is asked to contact LBPD Detective Dave Lauro at (562) 570-7355.