On January 12th, a 15 year old girl was hit by car a few yards away from perhaps the most hazardous intersection for pedestrians in Norwalk. For too long, sidewalks and pedestrian access have been an afterthought. The blame, falls on all of us. Not only do we not fund road and sidewalk maintenance, we make no effort to enforce the very basic safety regulations that we already have in Norwalk city ordinances.

The police report makes clear, that a pedestrian signal button, with no indication for pedestrians whether the light in fact changes to green, or stops traffic is perfectly fine. This is unacceptable. The fact is that this intersection allows cars to turn right on red from route one and that cars are given priority to make a left turn when the light changes to green. There is no full red in all direction when the pedestrian button is pressed. Nor is there any indication that the light in fact has changed without looking overhead in the middle of the street.

On my investigative field trip to make this video I was accompanied by District A Councilman Richard Bonenfant, who is well aware of the the shortcoming in pedestrian safety in his district. This is our central business and governmental zone. Not too long ago, an executive from a California tech company, staying at the Norwalk Inn, wanted to see the world  famous Stew Leonard’s store. The CEO tripped and fell on our sidewalks and did not ultimately make it to the store. This and many other, unreported and undocumented incidents are the stories of Norwalk that perpetuate the image of a city that is dysfunctional.

From the police press release, my emphasis added:

A 15 year old Norwalk girl was struck by a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta at the intersection of Westport Avenue (Route 1) and East Avenue in Norwalk today at 3:02 PM.

She is listed in stable condition at Norwalk Hospital and expected to stay the night.

Witnesses state that two girls, the 15 year old along with her 16 year old friend, were crossing East Ave just south of Westport Avenue.

Investigators found that the girls crossed East Avenue not at the corner, but between two lanes of northbound cars that had stopped for the red traffic light at Westport Avenue.

While the 16 year old made it across the entire roadway, the 15 year old was not as fortunate and was struck by the Volkswagen Jetta which was westbound on Westport Ave, turning left onto East Avenue with the green traffic light and proceeding southbound on East Ave.

Norwalk Police, Norwalk Fire and Norwalk Hospital EMS responded to the scene and provided aid to the 15 year old who was treated and transported to Norwalk Hospital by ambulance.

The 24 year old Stamford man driving the Jetta was not injured.

Investigators found the 15 year old at fault for the accident and was issued a verbal warning by the  officer.

The driver of the Jetta was not cited.

The collision was  unnecessary as the girls chose not to use the marked crosswalk at the corner, approximately 20 feet away, but to cut across traffic waiting for the light.

The crosswalk is equipped with painted stripes, a walk light and a call button which was functioning properly.