Growing call for increased road safety after Juliani Moreno's tragic killing in Parlier

PARLIER, Calif. (KFSN) -- On Thursday evening, Parlier City Council members paused to remember Juliani Moreno, the 15-year-old rising football star who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Parlier on March 10.

Those in attendance at the first council meeting since his death included Porfirio Santos, his youth baseball coach, who reflected on the joy he brought to the field.

This year would have marked the fourth year Santos would have coached Moreno in the game of baseball.

RELATED: Hundreds mourn young Parlier teen killed at notorious intersection

"He always had a smile; a smile that would bring a - even on your worst day, he'd bring a light to you," said Santos.

That light tragically darkened on March 10 after a suspected DUI driver traveling up to 100 miles per hour hit the 15-year-old Immanuel High freshman as he walked with his girlfriend on Mendocino and Parlier Avenues in Parlier.

Family and close friends continue to keep watch over Moreno's growing candlelight vigil at the intersection where he took his last steps.

Moreno's sudden passing marks the third and most recent Parlier student to die while walking on the city's streets in more than a decade.

In 2015, 9-year-old Diego Estrada was killed while walking to school during a foggy morning in January.

RELATED: DUI charges added to suspect in hit-and-run that killed Parlier teen

In 2023, Parlier 7th grader Fernanda Perez-Almada was hit by a car as she walked through a crosswalk near Parlier Junior High School.

"It could be deadly. It could be really deadly," said Santos.

The tragic trend has now concerned parents, prompting the city to do more to keep young people safe on Parlier streets and roadways.

"I think more lights could be good in our community," said Santos.

Parlier's mayor resonated with those fears.

"I was a concerned parent when my kid would have to walk to school, but I know there's parents that cannot pick up their kids. We will work through this process to make sure that are kids have a safe route to school," said City of Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran.

Next week, the family of Juliani Moreno will hold funeral services in Parlier and Reedley.

The family is also organizing a GoFundMe to raise money for those funeral arrangements. If you would like to donate, you can find more information here.

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