Emely Aleman (Family photo) |
NORTH HOLLYWOOD (KTLA) -- The Los Angeles City Council has approved a motion to speed up construction on a street light at a dangerous North Hollywood intersection where a 12-year-old girl was struck and killed.
Construction on the light at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Archwood St. had been planned for 2012, however, the motion approved Wednesday would expedite the process.
The move comes after members of the community protested following the death of 12-year-old Emely Aleman.
Aleman was walking with a 10-year-old friend in a marked crosswalk on Laurel Canyon Blvd., near Kittridge Street, on Nov. 2 when authorities say a Jeep Wrangler struck them.
Both suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital.
According to the LAPD, Aleman died two days later. The 10-year-old girl was reportedly paralyzed from the neck down.
After hearing about the 12-year-old's death, family, friends and neighbors gathered near the accident scene in protest.
Members of the community renewed their calls for city officials to install a traffic light at the intersection.
"We've been pushing for a couple of years now to get this done and what does it take to get it done? Death," said one protester.
Community members say drivers don't honor the crosswalk.
City Councilman Paul Krekorian and LAUSD board member Tamar Galatzan pushed for safety improvements at the intersection.
"The tragic accident that took the life of Emely Aleman struck us all to the core," Krekorian said in a statement. "While her friends, family and community continue to grieve, it is vitally important that we do everything in our power to make our intersections safer and ensure that no one has to fear for their life when they cross a Los Angeles street."
Krekorian said he will monitor the light's progress and continue to press for its quick construction.
Construction on the light at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Archwood St. had been planned for 2012, however, the motion approved Wednesday would expedite the process.
The move comes after members of the community protested following the death of 12-year-old Emely Aleman.
Aleman was walking with a 10-year-old friend in a marked crosswalk on Laurel Canyon Blvd., near Kittridge Street, on Nov. 2 when authorities say a Jeep Wrangler struck them.
Both suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital.
According to the LAPD, Aleman died two days later. The 10-year-old girl was reportedly paralyzed from the neck down.
After hearing about the 12-year-old's death, family, friends and neighbors gathered near the accident scene in protest.
Members of the community renewed their calls for city officials to install a traffic light at the intersection.
"We've been pushing for a couple of years now to get this done and what does it take to get it done? Death," said one protester.
Community members say drivers don't honor the crosswalk.
City Councilman Paul Krekorian and LAUSD board member Tamar Galatzan pushed for safety improvements at the intersection.
"The tragic accident that took the life of Emely Aleman struck us all to the core," Krekorian said in a statement. "While her friends, family and community continue to grieve, it is vitally important that we do everything in our power to make our intersections safer and ensure that no one has to fear for their life when they cross a Los Angeles street."
Krekorian said he will monitor the light's progress and continue to press for its quick construction.
