Aurora community demands safety improvements after child killed by distracted driver

In Aurora, Colorado, a tragic incident occurred where a 12-year-old boy was killed while riding his scooter in a crosswalk during the morning on a recent Saturday. This devastating event has prompted neighbors to call for urgent safety improvements in the community, particularly at the intersection of Iliff Avenue and South Wheel Park Circle. Residents have expressed their concerns regarding speeding vehicles, distracted drivers, and obstructed views of critical traffic signage due to overgrown vegetation. Many have recounted multiple previous accidents in the vicinity, highlighting both a long-standing problem with traffic safety and a lack of responsiveness from local officials. Following this boy's death, immediate actions have been initiated by the city council, with crews seen trimming shrubs and weeds at the intersection, an effort aimed at improving visibility for pedestrians. Gloria Holloway, a nearby resident, voiced her apprehensions when using the crosswalk, noting that unfamiliar pedestrians might not even recognize its presence, leading to dangerous situations. Aurora City Councilmember At-Large Danielle Jurinsky acknowledged the significant need for change, referring to the added landscaping as a preliminary measure towards broader proactive safety measures that would enhance the situation for both residents and pedestrians alike. The community’s frustration has been amplified by a perception that local governance has failed to respond adequately to the escalating concerns surrounding traffic safety. Ray Furman, a longtime resident, emphasized the urgency of more decisive actions, questioning the consequences faced by reckless drivers and advocating for improved accountability and traffic enforcement by law enforcement agencies. He candidly shared his own near-misses at the same crosswalk where the tragic accident took place, underlining that the dangers have persisted for years without any substantial resolution. Jurinsky proposed a potential solution that includes the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the busy six-lane road, a structure that would facilitate safer passage for children and pedestrians while creating a memorial dedicated to the young boy who lost his life. She asserted that this child's death should not be in vain and expressed her commitment to ensuring that meaningful changes are made in his memory. As the Aurora community grapples with the trauma of this loss, the call for transformative safety measures in their neighborhood has never been more urgent.