San Diegans honor, fight for safer streets on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Dozens of San Diegans gathered as part of the global movement called World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

A vigil held in University Heights honored the 258 lives lost in traffic crashes in San Diego County in 2023, and 46 of them were people under the age of 21. Each life was represented by a pair of shoes.

“Together we can ensure no other family suffers the pain of losing a loved one,” said Katie Gordon, who lost her husband Jason when he was struck by a drunk hit-and run-driver while he crossed the street at Market and 19th Street.

“Jason has been cheated out of life,” Gordon said.

The vigil was hosted by Families for Safe Streets San Diego, an advocacy organization fighting for local lawmakers to make city streets safer, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Laura Keenan, co-founder of the organization, lost her husband when he was hit by a car while he biked to the movies. She’s urging city leaders to fix what’s called the ‘Fatal 15,’ the cities most dangerous intersections. Many are located in Mira Mesa, Rolando and Clairemont Mesa.

“The second is to implement AB 43 to reduce speed limits in school zones,” Keenan added.

“The message is most definitely we need safer streets in San Diego and accommodations and safety for bikers and pedestrians,” said David Carvalho, whose 14-year-old son Caleb miraculously survived a crash.

“I was riding my bike to school and a trash truck crossed in front of me. I got pulled under and it ran me over. I had multiple pelvic fractures resulting in three surgeries,” Caleb said.

“These deaths don’t have to happen. This is someone’s parent, someone’s kid that’s never coming home again. And it doesn’t have to be that way,” Keenan said.