Compton

Plaintiff Regina Compton (Compton) appeals from a judgment entered in favor of defendant City of Santee (City) after the granting of City’s motion for summary judgment. City’s motion urged, among other things, that City was immune from liability pursuant to Government Code section 830.6. Compton contends the trial court erred in granting the motion, arguing a genuine issue of material fact existed as to whether the design immunity was lost based on City’s “notice of changed circumstances.”

I. Factual and Procedural Background

On August 20, 1988, Compton was involved in a traffic accident near the Magnolia Avenue Bridge in Santee, California. The Compton car was struck by a truck driven by defendant Eric Drummond as Compton attempted to negotiate a left-hand turn onto westbound Chubb Lane from northbound Magnolia Avenue. Witnesses estimated Drummond was traveling at a speed of approximately 70 miles per hour or more.

Chubb Lane is located to the south of the Magnolia Avenue Bridge. Compton’s claim against City was based upon the contention that the Magnolia Avenue/Chubb Lane intersection constituted a dangerous condition of public property because of the placement of…