AMHERST — An online petition is calling on the University of Massachusetts to make the campus safer for pedestrians following last week’s crash that killed a student while she was crossing Massachusetts Avenue.
The change.org petition, titled “Make UMass Amherst protect pedestrians” and created by sophomore Caitlyn Fair, suggests the university take actions that include installing raised crosswalks and speed bumps.
Elena Lucore, a freshman from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, died after being struck by a vehicle on the four-lane Massachusetts Avenue, near the former Robsham Visitors Center, at around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday. The incident remains under investigatione.
“UMass needs to install reflective paint and crosswalk lights at all crosswalks on campus that flash — indicating a pedestrian is crossing,” the petition states. “We need raised crosswalks and speed bumpings, making it difficult for cars to speed.”
The petition states that Lucore was in a crosswalk. Last week, before Friday’s snowstorm, flowers surrounded a photo of Lucore that was placed at the edge of the road, near the crash site.
“UMass failed Elena, and her parents deserve justice,” the petition reads. “Hold UMass accountable and make them make UMass a pedestrian friendly campus.”
UMass officials did not respond to a request for comment about the petition though the university has taken steps in the past to upgrade safety when people crossing roads on campus have been injured or killed.
In 2008, after a woman suffered significant injuries when thrown 20 feet by a vehicle that hit her while walking in a crosswalk on the same street, the university placed rumble strips, also known as chatter strips, in front of crosswalks in the westbound lanes, installed new signs and painted “Ped Xing” on the pavement, and handed out informational brochures.
At that time, UMass also stepped up the monitoring of crosswalks with plainclothes police officers, and deployed crossing guards with orange vests.
