INDIANAPOLIS — A community united on Sunday to honor victims of traffic accidents at one of the city’s most perilous intersections, located at East Raymond and Shelby streets. The gathering coincided with World Remembrance Day, a poignant occasion for families affected by road violence to voice their grief and demand increased safety measures.
Among those present was Tracy Gillard, who spoke about her husband, Jeffrey Gillard, who was struck by a vehicle while commuting to work last month. Tragically, he is not expected to survive and will soon be removed from life support after donating his organs. “It needs to change. No one needs to go through what my family is experiencing,” Gillard expressed, highlighting the need for urgent action.
Community Rally for Change
The event attracted many supporters, including several city-county councilors, who shared their commitment to improving pedestrian safety in Indianapolis. “It feels good. It does knowing that we’ve got that much support just to make Indianapolis safer,” Gillard commented, reflecting on the community’s solidarity.
Participants in the memorial walk paused at each roadside memorial along Raymond Street, where they installed new signs to commemorate those lost to traffic incidents. Among the remembered was Dillan Lee Rogers, who tragically died at the same intersection in February.
Organized by Central Indiana Cycling (CIC), the event aimed to raise awareness about the hazards of the roadway. CIC’s executive director, Tony Cherolis, remarked, “Everybody that I know has lost or had someone critically injured in a motor crash, so this is something that’s universal and hits home for almost everybody in the city.”
Calls for Immediate Action
Alongside the memorial activities, CIC distributed reflectors for bicyclists to enhance visibility for drivers and provided free helmets to promote safer riding practices. Cherolis noted, “I see progress being made. I don’t know that it’s being taken seriously at the state level.”
In response to growing concerns about traffic safety, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works reported on Friday that they submitted work orders aimed at improving pedestrian safety at the intersection of Raymond and Shelby. Despite this, Gillard expressed frustration, stating, “I’m tired of hearing the promises. I’m tired of hearing the talk. I want to see the action now.”
As the community continues to grieve and advocate for change, there is a shared hope for a future where fewer families experience the pain of losing loved ones to preventable traffic incidents.
