Residents push for safer streets following death of Desert Hot Springs teen
A petition has been started asking for improvements to be made at the intersection where a Desert Hot Springs High School student was struck and killed by a vehicle this past weekend.
The petition is called “Pamela’s Light,” named after DHSHS senior, Pamela Carrillo. Carrillo was killed while crossing the road near the intersection of Palm Drive and Camino Aventura.
“I just hope they put a light there because a lot of accidents happen there. When we were there for Pamela’s lighting, another accident happened and that was kinda traumatizing because it is really dark,” said Brianna Valencia, a friend of Carrillo.
Supporters of the petition showed up at Tuesday’s Desert Hot Springs city council meeting, asking for better lighting and a crosswalk at the intersection.
The closest street light and marked crosswalk is about a half mile out in each direction from the bus stop Carillo attempted to cross towards.
“I’m willing to give my paycheck every two weeks until the light is up where my daughter was killed,” said Patricia Arellano, Carrillo’s mother.
Arellano was clutching a photo collage of her daughter as she made an emotional plea for better pedestrian safety during public comment at the city council meeting Tuesday.
“Do something. Don’t let one of your kids be the next because it hurts. It hurts really bad,” Arellano told city council members.
DHSHS students stood in support, many stepping to the podium demanding answers.
“How many more lives have to be lost? Somebody answer me? Exactly. One death is too much,” a student said.
“One death is one too many. One voice can start an uproar and one council can better a city,” another student told the council.
Following the public hearing, Desert Hot Springs mayor Scott Matas spoke directly to Arellano, offering his condolences and sharing plans behind a $300 million project that has been in the works for months.
“24 street lights, crosswalks, all the bus stops will have blinking lights. We will have better bike safety and sidewalks will be added near the mobile home parks,” Matas said.
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“I know I’m not getting my daughter back but at least maybe this happened for some reason. Maybe the light can be there or a crosswalk. How many more kids do they need dead in that area?” Arellano said.
From sidewalks to flashing lights and street lights, the project is expected to get started this summer. Meanwhile, the memorial for Carrillo continues to grow.
