By: Las Vegas Now Staff
The push for a safer pedestrian crossing continues after a young woman was run over by an SUV and killed. Eyewitness News told you about the 19-year-old killed Friday night when she was hit by an SUV while in a crosswalk at Las Vegas Boulevard and Wigwam.
Even more people are now speaking out about the dangers of this intersection. Just stand on that corner for a few minutes and the people will come — both pedestrians and drivers – and all say that intersection amounts to a danger zone.
Cars fly by and pedestrians say taking the crosswalk is just as risky as jaywalking.
“Cars, they do not stop. They just keep speeding, and I almost got hit one time myself, I really did,” shared pedestrian Monique Nasha.
Verlaine Powless, 19, was obeying the law Friday night when she was struck in the street and killed.
“It's a tragedy. People should pay attention to what they're doing,” said pedestrian Lynne Darden.
Verlaine's death is on the minds of these pedestrians. As they have the right-of-way, the guys try to get an approaching taxi to slow down. The driver hits the brakes – gives back a gesture and drives on.
“Especially that taxicab driver. That was pretty bad,” said Kwaun Strong.
They do make it across safely, but the waiting cars are ready to take off.
“You see that. He's coming, and he slams on his brakes at the last minute. People don't realize when people are crossing the street, you got to look,” said pedestrian Sean Winn.
Concerned citizens have their ideas of what needs to be done.
“Stop signs, stop signs,” said Nasha.
“They need a light,” said Strong.
“Sorry to jump in front of the camera, but a light,” said Winn.
Because many feel the crosswalk is insufficient.
A flashing light warns drivers to slow down and be on the lookout. At the pedestrian crosswalk, if you look down on the ground, a lot of the paint is now faded, and many say that's just unacceptable.
“What crosswalk? What crosswalk are you speaking of? That's a crosswalk?” asked pedestrian J. Ross.
A stop light may be in place in 2009, but a petition drive demanding a light now is already underway — so no one else loses their life at this deadly crossing.
Email your comments to Reporter Aaron Drawhorn.
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I am Verlaine’s Aunt. We urge the Department of transportation to put a traffic light between Las Blvd. and Wigwam. My niece Verlaine died, because the department did not approved the said proposal. According to them ” the intersection did not meet the warrants for a traffic light. what does it take to meet such requirments? someones life? I am very angry after hearing this. whoever was incharged that denied that project does not deserved to be in that office “Shame On You” I pray this tragedy does not happen to any of your families….
Comment by Kc Kass — August 6, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
VerlaineMay was my niece she had the right of way! If only the Department of Transportation approved the proposal way back in 2005 Our Verlaine is still with us. that intersection is dangerous we stand in that corner each night for seven days just to observe the speeding cars. pedestrians have to watch for the cars passing by and only few cars would stop and give way. This is crazy!!! something needs to be done about this. put a cop in that corner to scan the speeders and put a TRAFFIC LIGHT!!!!
Comment by Rosanna Garcia — August 6, 2008 @ 1:49 pm