A local mother is working to have blinking lights installed at a La Jolla crosswalk after seeing a child almost struck by a car. “About a month ago, I saw a little boy almost get hit by a car, and I have a little guy – he’s 4 years old – and I realized I was responsible, and I had to speak up,” Stephanie Jernigan told a local TV news outlet.
To date, about 300 people have signed Jernigan’s petition asking the city to install a blinking light at the crosswalk on La Jolla Boulevard and Westbourne Street. “It’s perfectly located in between a beach, a high school and a convenience store,” said Nathan Jernigan. The Jernigans say flashing lights will also make the area safer for drivers. “The first vehicle will stop for a pedestrian, but the second and third vehicle don’t, and it’ll make it safer for drivers as well so we’re not getting rear-ended by the next guy who’s on his phone, not understanding why someone is stopping,” Nathan Jernigan said. Lori Boch said she still gets nervous trying to cross the street after she was hit by a car in the crosswalk a few months ago. “The car came up and hit me on my side and my ankle; broke my ankle,” said Boch. Neighbors presented their petition at a recent meeting of the La Jolla traffic and transportation advisory board. Since the April meeting, Jernigan said she was told the crosswalk improvements have been approved but that the potential funding source is unclear. “We’re hoping the city does fund the project. If not, we’ll figure it out,” said Jernigan. – KGTV Ch. 10