The memorial for Emily Watson took place at the site of the crash on Wednesday, Dec 6

On Wednesday morning, November 29th, a UPMC shuttle driver hit 29-year-old Emily Watson at the intersection of Terrace Street and Sutherland Drive. After being transported to a nearby hospital, Emily, a UPMC employee and Pittsburgh resident, sadly died.

A memorial was held by the student-led bike and pedestrian advocacy group Complete Streets at Pitt the next Wednesday, December 6. The community gathered, left flowers, and spoke on how the city, university, and UPMC can work to better protect people on Oakland’s streets.

During the gathering, the community and organizers from Complete Streets at Pitt honored the life of Emily and all those killed in acts of traffic violence, especially members of the Oakland community. Two people have been hit and killed while walking at this intersection in Oakland over the past three years: Emily Watson just recently, and Pitt student Barbara Como in March 2020 on DeSoto Street.

In light of this crash and several other recent road fatalities in our region, the need for continued advocacy for safer streets and a city-wide commitment to zero traffic fatalities is greater than ever. A combination of dangerous roads, inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, and unsafe driving is costing people their lives, and it simply must be stopped. 

Our thoughts are with Emily’s loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.

See news stories about the vigil:

WTAE: Pedestrians, cyclists call for safer infrastructure following death of UPMC employee, Emily Watson

WPXI: Oakland community calls for changes after woman hit, killed by shuttle bus

Trib Live: Pitt students, friends hold memorial vigil for pedestrian killed by UPMC shuttle bus

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Zero traffic fatalities is the only acceptable number.

Bike Pittsburgh believes that every person has the right to safely travel on our streets without fear of death or serious injury. From a legacy of unsafe street design to irresponsible driving, people are at risk every day, especially people who walk, bike, and roll.

Over the past decade, Pittsburgh averaged 4,234 reported crashes per year. A person walking is hit every 34 hours. Approximately 20-25 Pittburghers die every year traveling our streets. About a third of these deaths every year are pedestrians. These deaths and injuries are preventable, and many cities across the country have committed publicly to end traffic fatalities by a target date. Pittsburgh, like other cities our size, can achieve this milestone. No Pittsburger should have to deal with losing a loved one to traffic violence on our streets.