Intersection Safety Questioned after Accident | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Fresno, CA Neighbors who live near the busy intersection want something to be done to make things safer.

Madeline Greenler is still touch and go here at the hospital. Witnesses said she has major head trauma. One man who lives near the intersection scene says accidents are common and he is proposing a solution.

Dr. Jim Cecy is tired of the accidents and injuries at the intersection that backs up to his North Fresno home. After Monday's terrible accident, he spent some of Tuesday urging city leaders to make changes. "I know some city officials as a pastor and so forth so I contacted them not only as a community leader and said I'm concerned. I don't want to see anymore children bleed in my backyard."

Tuesday morning, when classes began at Maple Creek, students were once again given the news about the accident that left Madeline Greenler critically hurt.

It's been a tough few years for the children here. A seven-year-old girl died after being hit by a car in a Save Mart parking lot in November of 2005. And 9-year-old Sebastian Amezcua died in December of 2007, after an unlicensed driver slammed into his family's vehicle. "God bless those kids, because they're strong. It's a great community, a great school," said German Amezcua who's son was killed in an accident.

Fresno Police are still trying to figure out what happened around 3pm on Monday. The traffic lights were out when investigators say the little girl was on the sidewalk with her brother and sister when she was struck by a Jeep. Police said the girl was on a scooter and have not said if she was wearing a helmet.

Cecy has one idea he thinks would make the busy intersection safer for everyone who travels through it or near it. "I have my own opinion about the need for left hand turns in that intersection because of the number of children or young teenagers that are driving and the number of children that are walking. The pedestrians and so forth and it's a high problem there."

One parent said the problems at that intersection arise at the same time every weekday. "With this school and Clovis West and Fort Washington right there, all those kids right here, at 3 o clock, people are in a hurry and it gets tough kids are getting out, parents are getting home, it was hot yesterday," said Charles McGough, a Maple Creek parent.

Police have not ruled who was at fault in the accident yet.

Madeline Greenler's condition has not improved since she was taken to a Community Regional Medical Center. She remains in critical condition.