Local News

Actions

Pedestrians, advocate push for changes to crosswalk after boy is hit and killed by car

Posted at 6:39 PM, Oct 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-23 21:39:31-04

Pedestrians and advocates are pushing for change after a family is hit by a car killing a 4-year-old boy. 

Coroner identifies boy killed after vehicle hits him, mother and siblings near Boulevard Mall

"I think about that mom and looking up it's just breaks my heart," said pedestrian and traffic safety expert Erin Breen.

Breen helped advocate for the crosswalk where the family was hit. She said it should have been enough to prevent the crash.

"That should be plenty there's good and bad lighting, there are signs that warn you and then there's signs right at the crosswalk with the arrow pointing to the crosswalk," Breen said.

It wasn't enough to keep the family safe. Police say the driver told investigators he "did not see them."

People who live in the area say many times drivers aren't paying attention to the safety of pedestrians. 

"People are in a hurry and sometimes they don't pay attention and you just hope for the best," said one pedestrian.

Breen is suggesting the county put up flashing lights near the crosswalk to get drivers attention, but she says the drivers are the problem here.

"Paying attention could have stopped this from happening," Breen said.