Justice Delayed, Dangers Remain on North Main Street - Michael English

Justice Delayed, Dangers Remain on North Main Street - Michael English

My brother, Edwin A. English, was a victim of a hit-and-run on New Year's Eve 2023. After eight agonizing days and two surgeries daily, he succumbed to his injuries. A suspect was arrested just days after his death, only to be released the same day.

 

Now, a year and a half later, the accused has yet to face trial or conviction. This delay in justice is unacceptable and a continuous source of pain for our family.

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In the wake of Edwin's death, the Mayor and City Council established a committee to address the documented dangers on North Main Street. While some improvements were made, such as restricting right turns on red and synchronizing crosswalk lights, significant hazards persist. The perplexing design of side roads, transitioning from one lane to two or three lanes before narrowing back to one, forces drivers to focus on merging traffic rather than pedestrians.

 

Furthermore, the city's allowance of aggressive panhandling on North Main Street adds another layer of danger, distracting drivers and creating unsafe conditions for pedestrians. The street also remains alarmingly dark, exacerbating these issues.

 

This July 1st marks what would have been Edwin's 59th birthday. Instead of sharing a birthday cake and reminiscing about our youth, we placed a new American flag at his grave. He was an American, a Marine, and a greatly missed brother.

 

We urge the city to prioritize true safety improvements on North Main Street and to ensure that justice is swiftly served for Edwin. Our community deserves to feel safe, and our family deserves to have closure.

 

Michael English, D.Min, MBA is a regular contributor to GoLocal.