By: Las Vegas Now Staff
Pedestrians say they're risking their lives as cars fly by. At nighttime, it's dark and they're just trying to cross the street. A young woman was killed Friday night. Berlaine Powless, 19, was run over by an SUV in a marked crosswalk. Monday night, her friends, family and concerned neighbors gathered for a vigil.
Berlaine was just getting off work. She was walking in the crosswalk to get to the bus stop when she was struck in the street.
“She's still young – 19-years-old, 19-years-old. It's terrible, really terrible,” said Father-in-Law Jesus Torres.
All day, her friends stopped by to pay their respects. “She touched a lot of people, was a good person, and I hope she can hear me, because I love her a lot,” said friend Jessica Aquino.
They miss Berlaine's smile and pleasant demeanor.
“Lovely spirit, a bright soul, and it's very disturbing that she won't be here anymore,” said friend Valita Garcia.
While they mourn Berlaine's passing and celebrate her life, they're also upset the events of Friday night were allowed to happen.
“It's senseless. It's senseless. Something's got to be done,” said friend Tracy Villegas.
They say a traffic signal at the intersection is long overdue. Concerned citizens who never even knew Berlaine are fighting for a light. “I'm disgusted with it. It's insanity,” said Pete Jackson.
In just a few minutes, Eyewitness News saw pedestrians cross the street as cars sped by, not even phased by the warning signal telling them to slow down.
“I've crossed with the street with my 2-year-old grandson and cars get mad. They don't want to stop to let you cross!” said friend Diana Maeda.
She's starting a petition drive, urging county leaders to put up a light before anyone else loses their life just trying to get to the other side of the road.
“Eleven years, we've been trying to work on this and what do we get? A teaser? A flashing light that's a teaser,” said Karen Jaikowski.
Eyewitness News checked with Clark County about why a light was never put up before. We're told this intersection “has not met the warrants” to install a traffic signal. But we've learned improvement plans for the stretch of the boulevard are in the works and a traffic light will likely be installed by year's end.
The accident is still under investigation by Metro, but the SUV's driver, 38-year-old Angelo Hurst of Detroit, Michigan, has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.
Email your comments to Reporter Aaron Drawhorn.
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