GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission told Channel 2 Action News that she has asked transportation officials to devise a plan to improve pedestrian safety following the death of a 9-year-old girl this week.
"It's definitely something we will be looking into. We have had 10 pedestrian fatalities last year. It's something we are going to figure out how to deal with," said Charlotte Nash.
Nash sat down with Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Regan to talk about the hit-and-run crash that killed Gracelle Sanders on Tuesday evening.
She and her friends were crossing Club Drive in Lawrenceville to walk to Club Drive Park. Police said a 16-year-old driver struck Sanders and left the scene. He was later arrested and faces vehicular homicide charges.
Neighborhood residents have launched a petition drive to get county officials to install a traffic light, crosswalk and sidewalks near the park.
Some said if a traffic light was already in place, the young girl may not have been killed.
Community activist Mary Anne Lewis told Regan before the park was built 2 1/2 years ago, she and others on an advisory panel requested extra safety measures for pedestrians.
"The park has been very, very successful. The county flatly turned us down on sidewalks and a traffic light. I'm encouraged by the response of the county commission chairman, and I hope it means we are going to get the traffic light we need," Lewis said.
WSBTV
