Neighbors call for enforcement on Semmes after car accident killed RPS teen

Neighbors call for enforcement on Semmes after car accident killed RPS teen

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – A fatal crash is renewing phone calls for change along Semmes Avenue just after a Huguenot Significant University pupil was killed when the car she was driving in crashed into a energy pole at Semmes and 22nd on Saturday.

Charles Redmond has only lived on Semmes for a minor more than a 12 months and suggests mishaps right here are almost nothing new, but the aftermath he witnessed in Saturday’s lethal crash is the worst he’s witnessed.

“It’s the speeding that definitely will get our notice, in the past, it’s generally screeches, bangs,” Redmond explained. “The driver came out and held stating she’s only 17,” Redmond explained. “It truly hit all of us.”

The sufferer inside the car on Nov. 26 was 17-year-outdated, Josie Cox.

Redmond claims like so numerous other accidents its very clear pace was a factor.

“I overheard a single of the investigators say that this white auto was heading appreciably more than the pace restrict,” reported Redmond.

The crash was so intensive that it crash and bent the concrete power pole the auto stuck on the median of Semmes and 22nd.

In accordance to condition crash documents, there have been at least 29 mishaps together Semmes Avenue so considerably this year. At least 4 of all those incidents, not which include Saturday’s fatality, have occurred at the 22nd Street intersection.

Redmond claims the neighborhood desires to see additional velocity enforcement.

“If the word receives out that Semmes Ave is a dashing ticket city or a major rushing ticket region probably they will get the information and get their things to do someplace else,” Redmon explained.

Metropolis Councilor Stephanie Lynch’s office environment states new pace tables have been set up on West 25th and 26th streets in the past pair of months to enable slow drivers in between Bainbridge and Semmes. A lot more serious actions on Semmes like narrowing the road would call for permission from the state due to the fact Semmes Ave is technically a condition route.

Lynch claims she wants to see measures taken to slim the roads and add infrastructure to assist pedestrians, bicyclists and community transport, as effectively as velocity enforcement, but all those actions would demand cooperation with VDOT in order to be applied.

In the meantime, as the town mourns the reduction of nevertheless another teen Redmond hopes this latest incident makes folks come to their senses.

“This strike tricky, it genuinely hit really hard,” Redmond explained. “The metropolis and ideally the condition has bought to do one thing to sluggish this down.

A prayer vigil has been prepared for Cox driving the parking great deal of the Haywood Hair Salon on Semmes Avenue across the avenue from where by the incident transpired. Men and women are questioned to put on pink and white and bring candles.

For far more information get in touch with United Communities From Criminal offense at 804-399-1111.

Family of McIntosh teen sues Chickasaw, former cop over fatal car accident

Family of McIntosh teen sues Chickasaw, former cop over fatal car accident

Mobile, Ala. (WALA) – The household of a teenager who died in a collision with a former Chickasaw law enforcement officer has filed a wrongful-loss of life lawsuit.

The fit, filed last 7 days in Cell County Circuit Courtroom, seeks unspecified damages versus the city of Chickasaw and former Officer Joseph Michael Hand.

“We’re here right now, and we shouldn’t be, frankly,” explained John Givens, an attorney who represents the family members of Kenya Reed, an 18-yr-outdated McIntosh Higher School senior who was a cheerleader and basketball player and who was on track to be the school’s valedictorian.

Givens reported Reed experienced just remaining her mother’s dwelling just after supper and was on her way home on Jan, 10 of very last year.

Givens reported for the duration of a information convention that Reed was getting off of Interstate 65 and at a end signal when Hand’s patrol vehicle collided with her on West Lee Street. He reported the motor vehicle was touring 95 mph in a 30 mph zone. It was a “known risky location” exactly where a hill obstructed the driver’s perspective, the lawyer reported.

“Driving the way he was driving that day was, frankly, inexcusable,” he said.

Hand, 31, of Mobile, could not instantly be attained for comment, and Chickasaw City Corridor experienced no comment on the go well with. Chickasaw Town Legal professional Nash Campbell also did not quickly return call seeking comment, nor did Brent Day, a law firm who represented Hand in a criminal case arising from the wreck.

Previously this 12 months, a Cell County Circuit Court judge dismissed that cost – criminally negligent murder – soon after agreeing with the protection that the indictment arrived just after the just one-year statute of restrictions for the misdemeanor. Mobile County Assistant District Legal professional Louis Walker claimed prosecutors could find a new indictment alleging a different offense.

“Whether or not we will at any time find a different indictment will be up to – we have not made that conclusion but, but there is no statute of constraints for any other homicide offense if prosecution is considered warranted for that,” he said.

Hand, in accordance to Givens, left the Chickasaw Law enforcement Department and was working as an officer in Citronelle when a grand jury handed up the indictment. He resigned from that career.

The civil grievance alleges that Hand has a “history of reckless procedure of police motor vehicles.” It cites an incident in June 2020 in which Hand was concerned in a substantial-pace chase and crashed into a Saraland law enforcement officer’s cruiser even with directions to again off the pursuit.

“There are prior functions involving this specific driver in his capability as a law enforcement officer,” Givens claimed. “It would depart acceptable minds to conclude that he was not the ideal human being positioned for the occupation and was improperly educated.”

Reed’s relatives attended Thursday’s news meeting and spoke of the affect she had on her college and group. They described her as a magnet who attracted folks by the power of her temperament.

“Kenya was a go-getter – she was a go-getter,” claimed her aunt, Jessica West, choking back tears. “Whatever she set her thoughts into doing, she did. Troubles arrived, but she did not allow that outdo her.”

West said it was notably hard conversing about Reed’s demise to her youthful nephews and nieces.

“It was difficult for us to describe to them that Kenya’s no lengthier in this article. ‘Well, where’s she at?’ Kenya’s no for a longer period here. ‘Well, she’ll be back again.’ No. She will not be back again.”

Brittany Simmons, who taught Reed all 4 yrs she was in superior college, called her a “teacher’s dream” in the classroom.

“She just normally answered that simply call to what ever wanted to be carried out,” she said. “She would do it. And that is the factor that I recall.”

Givens vowed to maintain the Chickasaw and Hand dependable.

“I assure you we will do that will do every little thing in our electrical power to achieve that justice and achieve that accountability. … To steal a line from her mom, I’ve been informed that you did not satisfy Kenya you expert her.”

Up to date at 3:37 p.m. to include a no-remark response from Chickasaw City Hall and data about a prior incident detailed in the civil criticism.

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