Community advocates for safety improvements following tragic accident involving 10-year-old in Wilmington
- A 10-year-old boy named James Messick was fatally struck at a busy intersection in Wilmington, Delaware.
- The community is demanding safety improvements at the intersection to prevent future tragedies.
- Ryan Hughes reports on the ongoing push for change to make the area safer for pedestrians.
Four weeks ago, a 10-year-old boy named James was killed while walking home from school in Wilmington. His mother, Rodriguez, described him as funny and silly, and he was proud of himself for walking to and from school. James and his friend were hit by a car driven by a 17-year-old at the intersection of Centerville and Faulkland Roads. The driver lost control and crashed into a nearby home. After the tragic accident, the community planted a tree in James' honor and a neighbor keeps a lantern burning in his memory. Rodriguez appreciates the support from her neighbors during this difficult time. Barbara Beck, a long-time resident, expressed that safety improvements should have been made earlier, especially after her car was totaled in 2019 due to an accident on the same road. The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) conducted a safety review of the intersection and is adding more signs to remind drivers of the 35-mph speed limit and the presence of children in the area. The community believes these changes are crucial to prevent similar accidents in the future. In response to the tragedy, there is a growing demand for safety improvements at the intersection where James lost his life. The community is coming together to ensure that James Messick is remembered and to prevent such accidents from happening again.