March 3, 2011 – New York, NY – With a 15-year history of pedestrian-related accidents and deaths, the Grand Concourse intersection of East 183rd Street is under scrutiny with nearby residents calling for action. The most recent incident reported by the New York Daily News is the case of 11-year old Russell Smith, who was struck and killed while crossing the street on February 16. Smith was crossing the 6-lane intersection when he was hit by a Honda CRV. The driver was not charged in the incident. Family, friends and neighbors gathered for his funeral the next week, where they reached a consensus that something must be done about the fatal corner. Smith is one of 4 pedestrian deaths in the past 15 years at the intersection, the most recent being that of Virginia Verdee, 12, who was killed on September 23, 2005, when she was hit by an off-duty police officer. The New York Department of Transportation investigated the intersection incidents from 1995 to 2005 and found 71 pedestrian-related accidents. These incidents played a role in the Transportation Alternatives advocacy group ranking the Grand Concourse intersection the third most dangerous in the Bronx and the tenth most dangerous in New York City. The group is just one of many that are concerned for the safety of residents in the area. Residents are calling for red light cameras to be installed at the intersection to help reduce speeding and traffic signal ignorance. Adding crossing guards or additional police patrol has been suggested but a review must first be conducted. As a service to New York City residents, we often publish news stories about common accidents that occur in the 5 boroughs.
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