Woman starts petition for lit, pedestrian-controlled crosswalk after hit-and-run in Chilliwack

A Chilliwack woman has started a petition to get a pedestrian-controlled crosswalk installed at a downtown intersection following an alleged hit-and-run involving a cyclist last week.

Fawn Larson, who lives near the intersection of First Avenue and Nowell Street where the incident happened, heard the the sound of screeching tires and then a crash on Thursday, Oct. 8, shortly after 12:30 p.m.

Emergency crews arrived on scene to find the female cyclist sitting on the sidewalk complaining of neck pain and road rash to her legs. Her bike was seen lying beside the sidewalk, but the suspect vehicle involved was nowhere to be found.

READ MORE: Cyclist injured after alleged hit-and-run in Chilliwack

“It’s hardly the first time and most certainly won’t be the last,” Larson said.

Now she wants the City of Chilliwack to do something about it.

“What I am wishing to accomplish here is a pedestrian-controlled, bright, well lit-up crosswalk that no one can miss as this is a very active and speedy area that has a lot of pedestrians crossing,” she wrote in her online petition at change.org.

There are two designated crosswalks at the intersection, one on the east side (on First Avenue) and one on the south side (on Nowell Street). Neither one is lit nor pedestrian-controlled.

At nighttime, especially in rainy weather, it’s even more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians at the intersection, Larson added.

Several ‘Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon’ devices, which attract drivers’ attention due to the flashing lights, were installed at other Chilliwack intersections in the spring, and construction is underway for more throughout the city this fall.

READ MORE: Four flashing beacon devices coming to Chilliwack crosswalks this year

Larson wants the same type of crosswalk installed at First and Nowell to prevent any further collisions or fatalities.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 200 people had signed the petition. Larson’s goal is 500.

To add your name to the petition, go to chng.it/TjKgGKBk

Anyone who witnessed Thursday’s hit-and-run, or has any information including dash cam footage can call the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611.