Hit & Run Intersection Had Been Marked For Safety Improvements
DENVER (CBS4) - Changes are coming to a Denver intersection that was the site of a hit-and-run that left an East High Student hospitalized with serious injuries.
A car ran over Dee Bridgeman as she walked into the crosswalk on East Colfax Avenue near Elizabeth Street.
Even before two accidents that occurred at the intersection last week it was deemed a dangerous crossing. It was already marked for safety improvements and now new school zone signs will be going up.
The car seen in a gruesome surveillance video was found just three blocks away on the 1500 block of Gaylord. It was across the street from the home of Erin Jackson, 31, the Aurora charter school teacher who turned herself in connection with the accident. A piece of the car was found at the scene.
It was one of two accidents by the school on Colfax that morning. City councilwoman Jeanne Robb says the Department of Public Works has notified her new warnings will soon be added.
"Where the lights are hanging at the intersection they are also going to put up school zone signs," Robb said. "Fines have doubled for speeding, and that will just draw people's attention."
The intersection across from East High School is well known to planners. Drafts have been made for safety improvements, but they come too late for those already struck by cars.
"Denver, working with CDOT, CDOT funds these things, was planning to upgrade the light at Elizabeth this summer," Robb said. "That means more hanging displays of lights, actually more traffic heads. And it also means more pedestrian countdown lights."
It wasn't hard finding students who know of victims.
"My cousin, last year, he got hit too. I really don't try to walk on that street anymore," East High student Alayah Ragland said.
Bridgeman remains hospitalized at Denver Health Medical Center. Her family has asked that no information on her condition be released.
