Dangerous Intersection? Fresno man blames city for devastating injuries

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno man's life will never be the same after an accident right next to the Fresno State campus, and he says the city of Fresno is partly to blame.

Steve Kennedy nearly lost everything in that crash almost a year ago.

"This bone came this way and this bone came out this way," he said as he showed us his rebuilt right arm. It will never return to its original form and its use will always cause him problems.

"I had to learn how to write again," Kennedy said. "I actually have to use my left hand for almost everything now. I've got so much damage I can't get my fingers to open all the way."

Kennedy's left leg is amputated below the knee, his ribs have been replaced by titanium plates, and the fearless approach that put him on a Harley for 30 years is also gone. After the crash that knocked him off his bike and into a bus stop, he says he'll never ride again, he may never drive, and he's even a bad passenger.

"Even us getting in the car and coming up to the intersection or going through, my anxiety goes through the roof," Kennedy said.

Left turns can be tricky at Cedar and Bulldog Lane -- the intersection where Kennedy's life changed so drastically.

Police believe Kennedy was driving less than 20 miles per hour when someone hit him while trying to make a U-turn before southbound traffic got going. Shortly afterwards, Fresno State's student government demanded a dedicated left turn signal. But Kennedy's lawyer says it should've happened years ago.

"I think back in 2007 the city was aware that there was a problem and it took them almost 7 years to get the light changed," said attorney Warren Paboojian.

Police say there have been 17 collisions at the intersection and at least ten injuries over the last four years. And in February, city council approved a contract to add the left-turn signal to make life easier for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. For Kennedy, though, life will never be easy again.

"Every day is a new challenge of what I do," he said. "Just definitely a life-changing event."

Kennedy worked on oil rigs before the crash. He says he's tried to go back, but he can't climb very well and can't stand long enough to do it very well.

City attorneys didn't want to comment on the pending litigation.