2/14/2015

South Jones Boulevard is known by local school children as a dangerous street to cross. There is a memorial placed at the median. Children ride their bikes and walk to school along this route to Sawyer Middle School. The speed limit is 45 miles per hour.

Cameron Demeranville, 13 years old, was hit by a car there, Friday, and died.

A 15 year old from Durango High School was hit there one day before. He was listed in critical condition at the hospital to which he was taken.

There are no street signs or street lights at the cross walk. Students cross the street alone.

A two mile policy has been in force at Sawyer for approximately 25 years. Students who live far away from the campus may be bussed. Those who live closer than two miles must walk or be accompanied by an adult.

This policy saves schools in that area $300 million per year. It is not likely to change.

In 2013, 60 pedestrians were killed on county roads in the U.S.

The Principal of Sawyer sent a letter home to parents encouraging traffic safety and safety in crossing streets.

There is an on going investigation in the Demeranville death.

The county public works department would have to initiate any changes as far as street lights or street signs are concerned for that intersection.

A traffic light was installed in 2013 after the death of Helen Liu, 14 years old, who was hit at Blue Diamond Road and Cimarron Road.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="670" class="zemanta-img"] Maquoketa Middle School (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]