EDGEMERE, Md. — People who live near the scene of a deadly hit and run in Edgemere are pushing for changes to an intersection they say is dangerous.
On Tuesday, Joseph Stefan, 69, was killed while he was trying to cross the street in his wheelchair at the intersection of North Point Road and Lodge Farm Road on Tuesday.
RELATED: Man in wheelchair hit and killed trying to cross street in Dundalk
Police later tracked down and arrested the driver who they say took off after the crash.
Now, hundreds of people have signed a petition to make the crosswalks in the area safer.
April Green, who lives in the area, created the change.org petition.
“This could have been something that could have been easily prevented," Green said.
She said drivers speed constantly on the road and ignore signs that tell drivers to stop for pedestrians.
"It's just not working," she said. “Every time [my kids and I] cross the street, we are standing there for 25 minutes waiting for cars to let us pass."
Green and others are pushing for the county to install speed humps, traffic lights or other safety measures.
“If that man had a light, a button or a light that he could’ve hit to have the cars stop...would have saved his life.”
Dee Vaughn, who also lives in the area, said she's witnessed multiple accidents in the area. She's concerned about the safety of older residents and children who attend nearby schools.
“Flashing lights, or something saying hey there’s somebody crossing right now. So, especially at night time when it’s dark these people in wheel chairs or that walk slower than normal can be seen," she said.
The two are hoping the petition will lead to change so no other family will have to mourn a loss they feel could have been prevented.
Green said she reached out to the Maryland highway Administration and was told they're going to look at what changes could be made to the road.
She said the man she spoke with didn't go in too much detail, but asked for time to figure out what they can do.
