The city of Los Angeles will pay up to $9.5 million to settle a lawsuit from a woman who claimed a poorly designed intersection caused a traffic accident that left her injured.

Tuesday has the

c

ity

c

The City Council unanimously approved the settlement amount for plaintiff Jean Yuna Horihata, whose car was struck by a vehicle in February 2021 at Oakshire Drive and Cahuenga Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills.

Days earlier, a traffic light pole was damaged in an accident at the same intersection, said David Rudorfer, an attorney with Panish, Shea and Ravipudi who represented Horihata. The traffic light was damaged, so the city installed a temporary traffic light on a pole on the side of the road, Rudorfer said.

Horihata was driving a 2004 Toyota Highlander on Oakshire Drive shortly before 8 a.m., making a left turn toward the northbound side of Cahuenga Boulevard after the light turned green.

A driver of a 2004 Chevy truck traveling south on Cahuenga Boulevard failed to stop at a red light and struck Horihata’s car. The driver did not notice the temporary traffic light until the last second, Rudorfer said, adding that the placement of the temporary light made it difficult to see.

Horihata underwent neck surgery, according to Rudorfer. She alleged in her lawsuit that the intersection was improperly and dangerously designed by the city.

Ivor Pine, a spokesman for City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto did not immediately respond to a request for comment.