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City installs crosswalk in Kensington after 6-year-old was killed in car crash

The six-year-old boy died after the car he was riding in was t-boned on Adams Avenue and Biona Drive, which caused the car to flip on a fire hydrant.

SAN DIEGO — The city of San Diego has installed a new crosswalk eight months after a 6-year-old boy was killed in a car crash at a busy intersection in Kensington.

The six-year-old died when the car he was riding in was t-boned on Adams Avenue and Biona Drive, flipping the car onto a fire hydrant.

Since the fatal collision, CBS 8 has been Working for You to help neighbors get a stop sign, something that they've asked the city for years.

The images and cries for help in Kensington after the boy died in March are still raw.

“Every time I walk by I get teary-eyed, it's hard,” said KJ Rogge. CBS 8 spoke to neighbors and people who work in the neighborhood.

“People won't slow down and you'll be walking and basically fear for your life because they don't stop,” said Tabbi Cagen, Diesel salon employee.

CBS 8 has gone to vigils and rallies calling for safety measures.

“They cruise right through the stop sign,” said one neighbor in April.

Over the months, CBS 8 shared a campaign to slow down drivers and showed pictures that neighbors have taken over the years of crashes at this intersection. In addition, neighbors have submitted several Get It Done app requests calling for a four-way stop at the crash site.

“I think the city needs to look at what the best solution is. Is it a stop sign? Is it a caution light? Is it a traffic circle? What will keep the traffic moving but everyone safe?" asked Bonnie New.

San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera tearfully listened to his constituents.

“I live in the neighborhood, I have a two-month-old son at home and when that little boy died my wife was pregnant, it was devastating to me. I thought about walking with my family, it makes me emotional when I think about it now, we want to feel safe,” said Elo-Rivera.

The new father says he worked with Kensington community members and the city's Transportation Department on a traffic safety study and found after evaluation it met the criteria for a rapid flashing crosswalk.

Elo-Rivera says when he heard the city didn't have the funding to install the crosswalk, he dipped into his district's Community Projects Programs and Services dollars to pay the $12,000 to complete the work.

“It definitely has made a difference,” said Rogge.

The crosswalk was installed last week and while many drivers are slowing down and stopping, not all are paying attention. 

“It’s really devastating to constantly see the memorial and people still not be considerate,” said Ady Gaxiola.

She says the crosswalk is a start but wants more done.

She's disappointed the city's evaluation for a four-way stop and traffic calming measures didn't meet the city's criteria.

“I think it's pretty crazy. How many more people do we have to lose in this intersection and how many more crashes to meet the criteria?” Asked Gaxiola.

Elo-Rivera’s office shared the city's traffic study that goes into more detail about why it says a four-way stop sign or traffic calming measures did not meet the criteria.

The study says crews evaluated traffic on Adams Avenue between Biona Drive and 42nd Street in a 24-hour period and found on average, drivers traveled the posted speed limit which is 25 mph. 

It also says the stop sign facing traffic on Biona Drive sufficiently establishes a right-of-way.

Elo-Rivera says the city has already repainted faded crosswalks on Adams Avenue and his office is working with the city to paint a red curb on Biona Drive and Adams Avenue. He is also working with the principal at Franklin Elementary to install a new "School" sign and a "No U-Turn" sign near the school.

San Diego Police say the cause of the crash was a right-of-way violation and they sent the case to the city attorney for review.

WATCH RELATED: 'Unspeakable tragedy' | Kensington community voices traffic concerns after crash kills 6-year-old

    

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