HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Summertime is upon us. That means the kids are out of school, riding bikes, walking to parks and pedestrian safety near moving traffic is the number one concern. According to Smart Growth America, from 20 10 until 2022 there was a 75-percent increase in the deaths of people walking.
Huntsville mother Lavonda Williams shares her story in hopes of bringing awareness to pedestrian safety. Williams explained that her son Marquez was killed on Memorial Parkway nearly two months ago on April 15.
"He was walking home on Memorial Parkway and it was around after one or something like that. And, a car hit him, hit and run. Right in that area, [near] Redstone and Burger King. He was such a smart, intelligent young man. You know, he had so many goals and August 1 he would have been turning 30 years old."
As Williams continues to cherish the memories of her son Marquez , she is also still seeking answers. "For a while I was e-mailing with the detective and he was telling me that they were on the case. But, I think gradually, you know, I haven't heard anything else. You know, just waiting to see how this play out."
When it comes to hitting a pedestrian and fleeing the scene Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey said there are repercussions. "Those repercussions and consequences behind that can result in, you can go to jail. You can be ticketed for it. It depends on the extent of the injury of the involved party. Of course, if it's injury that could be a felony, which means you can go to prison for it. So, that's something is very serious. And any time a car versus a pedestrian, you need to take the situation serious any way, don't take it lightly. When a car hits a person or a bicyclist it's never good. So we, even if it's not your fault, stay at the scene, call the police, let us come and assess the situation."
Williams also leaves one final message. "I would give advice to the young people, you know, in this day and time and a lot of people, they really are not listening. You know, they don't care if they see you walking. Everyone has something going on in their life. So young people out here walking, be careful, you know, don't you know, walk in the street or, you know, whatever the case may be and just value life more."