Malibu Honors Man for Saving PCH Crash Victim

A board member at the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, who ran to the aid of a crash victim on Pacific Coast Highway last month, asked fellow drivers to slow down during a ceremony honoring his service in saving a life.

John Johannessen, who pulled Oxnard resident Scott Thornton from his car on April 24 on PCH near Tuna Canyon Road, made the comments as he was honored by the Malibu City Council Monday at its regular meeting.

"One thing I’d like to say. It would be really nice if people would just slow down on Pacific Coast Highway. Everyone is doing 50, 60 mph, you know, slow down. It’s a beautiful city. It’s a beautiful ride and it’s Malibu. It’s a dangerous little road," Johannessen said.

Malibu Mayor Laura Zahn Rosenthal presented the award to Johannessen, who received a standing ovation during the presentation.

"He’s allowed to tell us this now," Rosenthal said of Johannessen's request that drivers slow down and get off their cell phones.

During the brief ceremony, the crash survivor, Scott Thornton, stood and pointed his finger at Johannessen in thanks. Thornton's wife and three of his children attended the meeting in support.

Johannessen, who lives in Westlake Village, was one of several people who ran to the aid of the crash victims. The crash resulted in the death of Eriber Lopez, 25, of Los Angeles.

“I feel really bad about the young man who did not survive the crash. There was a lot of effort put into trying to revive him,” he said.

The cause of the crash has not been released and could take several months to complete.