Satellite Beach Residents Demand Traffic Change Following 12-Year-Old’s Death

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on January 3, 2020

Residents in Satellite Beach are attempting to create lasting change within their community following the tragic death of a 12-year-old last week. According to the residents of the area where the incident took place, the intersection where the young person was fatally struck by the car is a known road hazard. This, say the residents, is due to the fact that the lights in the area are not stop lights. Instead, they are flashing yellow lights that merely indicate that drivers should exercise more caution. The common feeling within the neighborhood is that the yellow lights do not do nearly enough when it comes to alerting drivers to the presence of pedestrians.

The case which has galvanized the community towards action occurred last week, shortly before Christmas, when a 12-year-old was attempting to cross the intersection of A1A and Elwood Avenue. It was the 22nd of December, and the young person was on foot and in the crosswalk when a driver approached the area. It is not clear whether or not the driver of the car saw the pedestrian, but the reports indicated that the 12-year-old was struck before they were able to safely cross the street. The extent of the injuries suffered by the 12-year-old was severe, and despite the best work of emergency medical caregivers, the 12-year-old was declared dead sometime after the incident took place.

The driver of the car remained at the scene of the incident and is believed to be in ongoing cooperation with the authorities on the subject. It is not known at this time if any charges are pending against the driver. It is not known if the family of the child are pushing to have the driver brought to trial in any way.

The protesters who have gathered to demand a change at the intersection are saying that the yellow flashing lights need to be replaced with a red signal. The hope is that if the traffic authorities implement this change that drivers will begin to pass more slowly through the area, that they will stop at the crosswalk, and that no more children will die as a result of poor city planning.

Sources:

• Dozens protest for better crosswalk safety in Brevard County

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.