Officials Call For Safety Upgrades After Queens Teen Killed In Hit-And-Run
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Over the candles and flowers, the family of 17-year-old Ovidio Jaramillo wept and prayed Thursday as elected officials called for better lighting and other safety improvements at Northern and Junction boulevards in Queens.
Jaramillo was killed at the Jackson Heights intersection by a hit-and-run driver Tuesday night while walking home from a funeral, police said.
State Sen. Jose Peralta, who spoke at the scene of the deadly crash Thursday, is proposing legislation for a distracted-pedestrian awareness campaign, WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported.
"We need to do more in order to ensure that tragedies like this never happen again," said Peralta, D-Queens.
One safety advocate declared, "We gather again and again and again," as many of Jarmaillo's friends stood with their heads bowed, and there were tears for a young life lost.
"I will never forget him, and he will always be with me," said one mourner.
Police are looking for the driver of a black Toyota Camry. Anyone with information is asked to contact them immediately.
