Boy’s Death Spurs Call for Traffic Light

Neighbors have long viewed the hilly stretch of Figueroa Street that winds through Highland Park as a deadly speedway. Cars racing downtown from Pasadena and Eagle Rock barrel along the curving street, flying past children walking to the nearby elementary school.

Residents have begged in vain for a traffic signal or stop sign, warning city officials that the busy thoroughfare could take someone’s life.

On Friday, a car speeding down the road swerved to avoid another vehicle, jumped a curb and plowed into a group of young children eating ice cream cones on the corner. Matthew Ruiz, 6, died moments later in his mother’s arms. Four other children were injured.

In the wake of the accident, Highland Park residents and City Councilman Richard Alatorre renewed their requests Tuesday for the city Department of Transportation to install a traffic signal along the busy corridor.

Transportation officials have denied Alatorre’s past requests for a signal on Figueroa, saying the street doesn’t have enough traffic volume to meet the national guidelines for a traffic light.

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“However, in light of what happened, we’ll go back and revisit the issue,” said Jim Sherman, principal transportation engineer at the Department of Transportation. “Maybe there’s other measures we can take.”

Alatorre vowed Tuesday, “This time, I’m not going to take no for an answer. This cost a human life, and it’s not acceptable.” Alatorre said he has requested a traffic signal along Figueroa at least twice in the last few years. Two months ago, the Transportation Department turned down his request for a light a block north of the crash site, citing insufficient traffic and accidents to qualify the street for a signal.

The parents of the children expressed skepticism that the city would help.

“Nothing’s going to happen,” said Gloria Estrada, Matthew’s mother. “But I don’t care what it takes. I’m coming out here with my paint and homemade banners, and I’ll make crosswalks so people have to slow down. No more children should die.”

The deadly crash Friday evening happened in front of the Estradas’ second-floor apartment at Figueroa and Crestwood Way.

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Matthew and several other neighborhood children were tearing the wrappers off ice cream cones when a Chevrolet Camaro driven by Gabino Nunez Avila, 20, swerved to avoid another car and ran onto the sidewalk, police said. The car slammed into the children and crashed into a tree. Estrada raced out of the apartment and cradled Matthew in her arms, desperately trying to find his heartbeat. He died before paramedics arrived.

His younger sister, Kimberly Cortes, 3, suffered head trauma and remained hospitalized in good condition Tuesday. His older sister Jennifer Cortes, 7, was hit by flying glass. Two of their playmates, Erica Cruz, 4, and her sister Maria, 6, also were hurt.

Avila, a Hollywood resident, was charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter Tuesday and pleaded not guilty. He faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

On Tuesday, Matthew’s father, Richard Estrada, watched flickering votive candles left with flowers at the accident site.

“This street is not safe for children,” he said. “This might not be Beverly Hills, but people are people. It’s not right for a little boy to lose his life. I want something done.”

This wasn’t the first fatal crash along the busy street. Three teenagers and a toddler were killed last December when a speeding car ran off the road two blocks south of the corner where Matthew died.

In the last few days, hundreds of neighbors have signed a petition asking for permanent traffic barriers, zebra-striped crosswalks, flashing yellow lights and greater enforcement of the speed limit.

The Estradas said they aren’t going to wait for a light to go up--they’re leaving. Gloria Estrada said she can no longer stand hearing the squeal of brakes as cars race down Figueroa. The family is moving to an apartment in Glendora, across the street from a cemetery where their son will be buried this week.

“It’s not right that we’re picking out a coffin for him,” said Richard Estrada, fighting back tears. “We should be picking out a uniform for him to play baseball or football. He shouldn’t have died.”

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(Southland Edition, B3) Dangerous Street

In the wake of an accident Friday that left one boy dead and several injured, residents renewed their requests for a traffic signal along busy Figueroa Street in Highland Park.