Here’s a really nice article about the man who was struck and killed by a car on West Liberty Avenue yesterday. Obviously he touched the lives of many around him. I want to know the facts around this tragedy. How fast was the motor vehicle going that killed him? Were there parked cars on the sidewalk forcing him out into the road? Is there a street light near that intersection? Far too often we’re willing to accept pedestrian deaths as “accidents.” But these crashes can be prevented with good design and political will. We need to do better in slowing vehicles down on our streets, providing better crosswalks, refuges and pedestrian signals, and enforcing speeding laws. The County should also adopt a Complete Streets policy immediately and start investing money in our infrastructure with the goal of keeping everyone safe, not just those surrounded by airbags and 4,000 lbs of metal.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008
By Jerome L. Sherman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Every day, West Liberty Avenue expected to see Frankie Passaro’s smile.

In the early morning, the 80-year-old Brookline man would leave his apartment near the corner of Capital Avenue and walk a half-mile to McDonald’s for his first cup of coffee. He’d spend the afternoon at a nearby Wendy’s, sitting in the corner with a group of friends.

Then he’d plant himself on a stool at Fiori’s Pizzaria for up to five hours, munching on plain slices with black olives on the side. And he’d voluntarily clear dirty tables and wash dishes.

“This place has been here for 30 years, and he’s been a part of it,” said Fabrizio Moscatiello, whose father owns the pizzeria.

Around 5:45 a.m. yesterday, an SUV struck Mr. Passaro as he crossed West Liberty Avenue near the BP gas station at the corner of Capital Avenue, just as he was starting his daily routine. Read more»