The step-father of a man killed in Highway 9 traffic yesterday urged the Regional Transportation Commission to make the road safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
Ross Hitchen is the stepfather of Josh Jaumouille-Howard who was killed on Feb 21 by a passing truck while walking on a shoulder of Highway 9 in Felton.
Hitchen and about 20 others attended Thursday’s RTC Meeting in Watsonville. They say that they have collected more than 1,400 petition signatures asking for improved safety in the San Lorenzo Valley
The petition calls for a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists to travel along Highway 9. For the Highway 9 segment stretching from the San Lorenzo Valley schools to downtown Felton, petitioners say the RTC could use signage or paint the road to show cyclists and pedestrians an alternative route onto Cooper Street.
County Supervisor Bruce McPherson said there will be a meeting April 18 with Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Scotts Valley, officials from California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, county public works and state and local leaders to see what can be done in the shortest period of time to address this safety issue.
