JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A devastated community called for city officials to prioritize building a crosswalk for Baymeadows Road after a father and son were fatally hit on Friday night.
Immediate concern about pedestrian safety became the topic of discussion following the deaths of Mitchell Patch, a Duval County Public Schools teacher, and his 1-year-old son.
“There’s no crosswalk. It’s dark,” George Birnbaum said.
Patch was crossing Baymeadows Road with his son on Friday night when they were struck by a car traveling in the eastbound lanes.
“How many more lives must be lost before action is taken?” Travis Akers, a concerned community member, wrote in a call-to-action Facebook post.
The manager of Wicked Barley Brewing Company said Patch was part of a large party that was being held at the establishment.
“This tragedy did not occur in a vacuum,” Akers post read. “Members of the community have repeatedly voiced concerns about pedestrian safety along this busy stretch of Baymeadows Road, especially in front of Wicked Barley, a popular local gathering place. This is no designated pedestrian crosswalk in this area. Despite clear public demand and frequent foot traffic, safety measures remain absent.”
City Councilman Joe Carlucci said the issue has been escalated to FDOT to raise awareness about longstanding community calls for a crosswalk near Wicked Barley.
“Ultimately, this is a state road and my office has been in touch with traffic engineering, and they have escalated the matter to FDOT and made them aware of the demands for a crosswalk,” Carlucci told News4JAX.
News4JAX reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation, asking the following questions:
Has FDOT previously identified a need for pedestrian crossings or additional traffic signals in this area?
Are there any current or upcoming plans to improve pedestrian safety on this stretch of Baymeadows Road?
FDOT directed comments about the fatal crash to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, as it’s a pending investigation, but also said it follows standard operating procedure in its review.
“FDOT reviews all reported crashes on state roadways and interstates – a special emphasis is placed on fatalities and crashes with injuries. If there are improvements that can be made to enhance the safety of the facilities, FDOT will work to implement them. This process includes careful analysis by professional engineers and other evaluations that may be warranted,” the agency said in a statement.
When the restaurant first opened, off-duty JSO officers would direct traffic. It’s unknown if the restaurant would implement the safety measures for the upcoming weekends, especially Memorial Day weekend.
Birnbaum echoed similar sentiments to Aker’s plea.
“We lost a child. We lost a husband, a teacher. What a terrible thing to have happen. Who’s next, and when is someone going to do something about it?” he said.
A GoFundMe campaign was created to help with financial expenses.
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