News Summary
Russell Stuart, a member of the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board, has filed a lawsuit against the city after suffering serious injuries during a carjacking incident at a holiday event. The lawsuit claims negligence on the part of the city for failing to provide adequate pedestrian safety measures. Stuart’s attorney highlights the need for protective barriers to prevent similar accidents in the future. The city attorney has stated they will defend against the lawsuit, arguing that the demands for safety changes are excessive. The ongoing case may influence future pedestrian safety policies in the community.
Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills Unified School District Board member Russell Stuart has filed a lawsuit against the city for personal injuries sustained during a carjacking incident that occurred on November 14, 2024, during the Rodeo Nights Holiday Lights celebration. The lawsuit, which was submitted in Los Angeles Superior Court on August 7, 2025, claims that the city neglected to implement adequate pedestrian safety measures, contributing to the incident that left Stuart severely injured.
The traumatic event unfolded when a carjacking suspect, identified as 22-year-old James Portul from Pittsburgh, jumped a curb and hit Stuart along with three other pedestrians. At the time of the collision, Stuart was on the street purchasing a balloon for his daughter. The impact of the vehicle caused him serious injuries, including broken ribs and broken arms. Emergency services responded promptly, transporting him to the hospital in an ambulance.
In his lawsuit, Stuart is seeking damages to cover medical expenses, property damage, and general expenses due to the injuries sustained during the incident. His attorney, Barry Novack, stated that they proceeded with legal action after their initial claim for damages was denied by the city. The complaint notes that the city acted in a negligent, wanton, reckless, and unlawful manner by failing to provide sufficient safety measures that could have prevented such accidents.
Specifically, the legal complaint argues that the city could have utilized barriers, commonly referred to as K-rails, to safeguard pedestrians from the risk posed by vehicles jumping curbs. Novack pointed out that the city did not strategically place the necessary protective barriers in locations where the risk of collisions was foreseeable. Stuart’s legal team is emphasizing the need for better safety measures to protect pedestrians in the busy area during events.
In response, Beverly Hills City Attorney Larry Wiener acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances of the incident but contended that Stuart’s demands for the implementation of K-rails at every intersection were excessive. The city intends to defend itself vigorously against the lawsuit and maintain that they are not liable for the injuries sustained.
The carjacking incident has broader implications as Portul, the driver responsible for the crash, has pled guilty to carjacking and hit-and-run charges. Following the crime, he stole a black BMW X3, which he drove into several pedestrians, including Stuart, and subsequently fled on foot before being apprehended.
After the incident, Stuart experienced a harrowing account of losing consciousness following the collision, only to wake up in an ambulance. His gratitude for survival and support from the community has been evident since the accident. After being discharged from the hospital the following week, he received an outpouring of support, which he and his wife acknowledged with appreciation.
Stuart was officially sworn in as a member of the BHUSD Board in December 2024, shortly after the incident that left a significant impact on his life and his community. The ongoing lawsuit could reshape how the city approaches pedestrian safety measures in the future, especially during large public gatherings and events.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Press
- ABC7 News
- Beverly Hills Courier
- E! Online
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Personal Injury Law
- Google Search: Carjacking Safety Measures
- Google Scholar: Pedestrian Safety in Cities
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pedestrian Safety
- Google News: Carjacking Lawsuit Beverly Hills
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
