SAN ANTONIO -- The death of six-year-old Brandon Abrams has neighbors vowing to take action to make their street safer. He was hit and killed on Autumn Sunrise by a 17-year-old driver, who police believe was intoxicated and who had allegedly dropped his cell phone. Witnesses said that driver was speeding.
Several neighbors told News 4 they had been trying for years to get the city to install speed humps or a stop sign to slow drivers down. So News 4 took a radar gun and clocked drivers Tuesday evening.
Several drivers were caught on camera, exceeding the 30 mile per hour speed limit. Neighbor Jane Withers says Abrams' death has slowed down some drivers, but still some blast past Abrams' memorial going 40 or even 50 miles per hour.
"It's too fast. I think the speed limit should be ten miles per hour because 30 is too fast in a residential (area). This is housing with children," she said.
The pavement is marked with deep scrapes from drivers who have bottomed out in a dip right at Autumn Sunrise and Autumn Dew. Judy Bradley-Myers built her house on the corner there and tried to get the city to install speed humps in 2008.
"I wish they would have been. It's after the fact, unfortunately. I wish they would install speed bumps or stop signs like we asked because this might have been prevented. It might not have ever happened," she said.
Bradley-Myers had installed boulders around the edge of her property to protect her family, including her infant grandson. The family ended up moving because of safety concerns.
"I'm upset. I'm upset and my heart is really saddened. It really is," she said tearfully. "Something needs to be done. It absolutely needs to be done."
District 7 Councilman Cris Medina said the city is looking at ways to improve safety, including increased police patrols, new stop signs or installing speed humps. The study could take several weeks. News 4 will keep you updated.
