Agency acts now, not waiting for study after deadly pedestrian crashes in Dayton, Harrison Twp.

HARRISON TWP. — One agency is not waiting for results of a safety study, they want to take action now to improve safety along North Main Street.

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The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission is handing out reflective gear to pedestrians who walk along the heavily traveled and dangerous road that has seen multiple deadly crashes in Dayton and Harrison Twp.

The latest — a hit-and-run crash involving two vehicles — took the life of a 17-year-old girl and seriously injured a 23-year-old woman. A small roadside memorial is dedicated to the fatal victim, Dyimond Wright, who was killed Jan. 22 while walking on North Main Street.

“I wish there were more crosswalks, yes,” said Trezon Dancy.

Pedestrians say North Main Street is a tough place to walk. There is a lack of lighting at night, and it’s hard to find a place to legally cross.

“I wish I could cross the street right here and now, but I have to walk up the street to do that,” Dancy said.

Other people say motorists don’t pay attention to pedestrians, and that they speed.

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“Everybody has to slow down, you know what I’m saying? Watch out for the kids. I know someone got hit not too long ago,” Jason Hampton said.

Wright’s death last month is one of the fatal crashes along North Main Street that prompted a safety study, funded by the city of Dayton, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

They’re looking at adding more streetlights and crosswalks, but that could take weeks, months or longer.

That prompted MVRPC to order reflective gear to help pedestrians be seen when they cross this busy road.

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“If it’s dark, if it’s rainy, if it’s foggy, like we’ve  had for the last week, it’s hard to see,” said Ana Ramirez of the planning commission.

The gear Ramirez demonstrated is similar to suspenders, but it stretches for all body sizes and can go over coats and book bags. The commission has ordered 500 and will pass them out using community partners.

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