Brevard County's metro area is now considered to have the second most dangerous streets in the country and a Palm Bay councilman is demanding change.
- 2 minors hit by cars in Palm Bay area in last 24 hours
- Councilman Tres Holton wants awareness campaign
- Brevard metro area named no. 2 most hazardous for pedestrians
A 17-year-old was killed on Wednesday crossing the street on Emerson Drive and GlenCove Avenue in Palm Bay.
Gilberto Martinez, who has been living in the area for 20 years, said it's not surprising.
“Always it’s accident, accident, accident,” he explained.
Neovaun Brule, a young driver who also lives nearby, said he saw the accident happen. He believes all parties involved should pay more attention.
“You can be here and you're pulling out and even if you have the right of way ... someone will still be breaking the law," said Brule. "So you have to be sort of conscious on what you’re doing."
Also on Wednesday, another accident involving a child took place on Jupiter Boulevard and Degroodt Road. There, a 9-year-old boy on his bike was hit, leaving him with serious injuries, including head trauma.
Smart Growth America ranked the Palm Bay/Melbourne/Titusville metro area the second most hazardous area in the country for pedestrians in its latest "Dangerous by Design" report earlier this month.
Councilman Tres Holton says enough is enough. He wrote a letter to the city manager asking for awareness signs at major crosswalks.
In light of these two accidents, he wants the roadways to be peppered with at least 100 signs that read: "Watch for Pedestrians: Don't Text -- It Can Wait."
Councilman Holton will bring up this topic in Thursday night’s city council meeting. He will introduce a motion for those signs to be put up immediately.
Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial lies on the road in honor of the teenage girl who was killed. While nothing can bring her back, Martinez says more than just signs have to be installed.
“The have to put crosswalks, the stop sign and light," said Martinez. "So the drivers can see."