Demand Lower Speed Limits & Signs on Columbus Ave.!

On May 8, 2019, 9 year old Drew Faustin was walking home from Graham Elementary School, where he was hit by an SUV traveling on Columbus Avenue in MT. Vernon, New York. Drew was transported to the hospital and everyone hoped for the best. But sadly, he died from his injuries the next day.

This sweet, kind, caring little Boy, would have turned 10 next week. Now, his Mother lost a child on Mother's Day weekend, and Drew's Family, The Mount Vernon Community, and others are mourning his tragic death.

The SUV hit Drew so hard, his sneakers flew off his feet and landed over 30 feet away. Even the front of the SUV was banged up due to hit and speed it was going. Witnesses heard a loud BANG, when Drew was hit and ran outside their homes/the store to see Drew lying, injured in the street.

Along Columbus Avenue, there's The Board of Education, Holmes School, and down the block and across E. 3RD Street is Graham Elementary School; the school Drew attended and was coming home from when he was struck by the SUV/mini van. WE WANT THE SPEED LIMIT LOWERED UNTIL AFTER 7:00 PM! There are children coming home from the different schools in the area. No driver should be speeding through Columbus Avenue for that reason, alone.

In certain districts, the speed limit is always 15 MPH to protect the children in the area. No driver should be going over 15-20 MPH, where there are private houses, and schools. We can't allow this to continue! We don't want another incident like this to occur.

Why aren't there CROSSING GUARDS in the area, when kids are coming home from the after school program? Signs should be posted in different areas of Mount Vernon, to remind people to SLOW DOWN! KIDS "R" CROSSING!!!

Where All Star Power Equipment is located, at 460 E. 3RD Street - There's another major street kids from The Heights have to walk across to get to Graham School. It has FOUR (4) 2-WAY TRAFFIC LANES, WITH ONLY STOP SIGNS! Going up the hill from All Star Power Equipment, is VERNON & GRANDVIEW AVENUES, WITH 5 DIFFERENT STREETS CONNECTING WITH 2-WAY TRAFFIC! Kids are crossing these areas with a lot of cars driving by and there's NO TRAFFIC LIGHT! These areas need to be addressed, as well!

Sally Safety & Danger Dan, started making SPECIAL SIGNS to hang on the poles in the different areas in Mount Vernon, NY. Drivers need to be reminded and be AWARE of THE KIDS who are walking to and from the schools in the area. Let's do something more than give Lip Service, so we can make changes and PROTECT THE KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

Thanks, for your time and interest. Please SIGN our Petition for (1) LOWER SPEED LIMITS, UNTIL, AFTER 7:00 PM. PUTTING A LIGHT ON 3RD STREET, where ALL STAR POWER EQUIPMENT IS. AND SPECIAL SIGNS THROUGH OUT THE COMMUNITY, TO HELP SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN/PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Thanks,

Janice Virtue