Nearly a year after a couple was hit and killed crossing a busy road, changes are coming to the area surrounding a popular south Brevard County restaurant.
It was early evening, December 5, 2013. Carl and Mary Burch of Palm Bay were crossing four-lane US 1 in Malabar, headed to dinner with friends at the Yellow Dog Cafe.
They parked in a 60-space overflow lot, across the busy street. That's when a car struck the elderly couple, killing them.
Florida Highway Patrol reports said the driver was going 10 miles below the posted 55-MPH speed limit.
Investigators ruled the couple was at fault.
Restaurant owners and staff were devastated and began to fight even harder for something they had been working for -- get the speed limit lowered in the area.
"When they did their study they said they needed a crosswalk, and extra lighting, so they are doing way more than I ever expected," said Stuart Borton, Yellow Dog Cafe owner.
Florida Dept. of Transportation and the Town of Malabar completed that study.
As a result, a lighted crosswalk will be installed within 90 days. A push button will activate blinking lights allowing pedestrians to let oncoming traffic know they want to cross.
Per law, drivers must stop for people walking in the marked crossing. The speed limit will be lowered to 45 within 30 days.
Borton said he hopes his patrons will notice the changes, and that something positive comes out of a tragedy.
"It's a good thing for the customers, the staff and everyone involved," said Borton.
According to FDOT, more than 20-,000 cars pass the restaurant daily.