LAKEWOOD, Ohio — As Lakewood continues to mourn the death of former 3News reporter Bill Safos, residents one-by-one took to the microphone at a city council meeting Monday night to share their concerns over the intersection where he was hit and killed by an oncoming car.
"The dangers of the intersection where Bill Safos was killed were discussed repeatedly (in the past)," Emily Lindberg said.
"We know there is a problem with this intersection," Daniel Zielinski concurred.
"I'm not coming up here because I like speaking in front of people," Robert Organ added. "I'm doing it because I'm worried that more people will die."
Safos died last Wednesday when he was struck at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Hilliard Road. In a police report released this week, officials confirmed the 58-year-old was inside the crosswalk and attempting to cross the street going southwest, however they did note that the "do not walk" sign was on and that the driver of the Mercedes that ended up hitting him had the green light.
Per the report, Safos' body was carried on the hood of the Mercedes for roughly 200 feet before the vehicle came to a rest near Orchard Grove Avenue. Safos was eventually pronounced dead at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital.
The meeting of Madison and Hilliard is part of a five-way intersection that also includes Carabel Avenue. It has been the subject of complaints for years, and many are now lamenting why Safos, as Josh Mottor described it, "was struck and killed while walking across the street in the most walkable city in Ohio."
Pedestrians are seen jaywalking in the area all the time, but Safos was in the designated crossing area. Although there was oncoming traffic and the "do not walk" light was on, police also say the driver who hit him was going 47 mph in a 25 mph zone.
"We need to narrow the street, we need to slow cars down," Organ said. "There's no amount of enforcement."
Safos spent a life time on Cleveland television — both on WKYC and at WOIO channel 19 — fighting for those who could not fight for themselves. On this night, his community attempted to return the favor.
"Speed limits failed Bill, the intersection design failed Bill, our crosswalks failed bill, the width of our lanes failed Bill, the size of our cars, our inaction, failed Bill," Mottor told legislators. "Lakewood failed Bill."
No charges have been filed at this time, and police have noted that the driver of the car that hit Safos remained on the scene and cooperated with authorities. There are traffic cameras at the intersection, but that footage is currently being held as the investigation continues.
Calling hours for Safos will take place this Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. at the Zeis-McGreevey Funeral Home on Detroit Avenue.