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More than 1,300 people have signed a petition to install a traffic light at the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Majestic Avenue in Norfolk.
Sadly, the move to make the intersection safer follows a terrible tragedy. Almost a week ago on Sept. 21, a 12-year-old boy was crossing the road when he was hit and killed by a truck.
Family members say he was crossing Princess Anne Road after leaving the new Broad Creek library. The victim’s father, Gregory Bateman Sr., said his son was on a crosswalk at the time of his death, WAVY.com reported.
He was also in front of Richard Bowling Elementary. Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased boy at this tragic time. Pedestrians have the right of way on crosswalks in Virginia. We are also appalled that a truck hit a teen outside a school.
Bateman told WAVY.com his son was venturing through a crosswalk when a truck hit him. We noted that the child was struck by a large box truck.
Police say the driver immediately stopped and stayed at the scene. It’s not clear if the truck driver will be charged by Norfolk Police. The child’s family has pledged to press charges, according to the WAVY report.
Bateman has led the call for increased safety measures on the dangerous section of road where the fatal crash occurred. He has spoken in favor of lights and speed cameras.
WAVY also spoke to Leticia Latham who has started an online petition to install a traffic light at the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Majestic Avenue in Norfolk. The report noticed Ms. Latham highlighted her concern to the school’s principal about speeding in the neighborhood a year ago.
Ms. Latham called for change at a recent city council meeting when she said there is nothing to regulate traffic for 10 blocks from Park Avenue to Ballentine Boulevard.
WAVY reported widespread speeding on the road Wednesday when police installed a temporary speed monitor in front of the school. Many vehicles traveled at more than 20 mph over the speed limit.
Ms. Latham wants to see speed bumps and more street lights because the Broad Creek library doesn’t close until 8 p.m. She said in the petition:
“My fear a year ago has happened and now I need the city involved. It is important to keep our residents safe while leaving and returning to places such as the library and school. No parent should have to deal with the sudden death of a child. As residents of the community and city, it is our duties to keep all children safe.”
The City of Norfolk says it has increased the police presence and traffic engineers are examining how they can improve the stretch of road.
We hope the petition for a traffic light at the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Majestic Avenue in Norfolk. Clearly, action is needed as soon as possible on this hazardous stretch of road to prevent further deaths and injuries.
Sadly, the sudden activity on the behalf of the city comes too late for a family that is mourning the death of a child. The accident also raised questions about the dangers posed by box trucks on suburban streets and why this driver did not see a child on a crosswalk. When a trucker causes a death, he or she may be sued along with a trucking company or other parties, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
The police and news reports of this tragic incident leave a lot of gaps. After a trucking accident, a personal injury lawyer will gather all of the evidence from the accident scene and find out what happened. Please call our Norfolk wrongful death attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation if you have lost a loved one in Virginia. Call (757) 455-0077.