My name is Tsering Tashi Takgye, I am 11 years old.  With unexplainable sorrow, I am writing for my 7 year old sister, Dolma Naadhum, who was brutally killed by a ruthless driver on 45th Street and Newtown Road in Astoria, right in front of my eyes.  This tragedy happened on February 17, 2023, when we were walking with my mother, Sonam, from my after school to our home.

It was also a time when my sister and family were eagerly preparing and waiting for the Tibetan New Year which was on February 21st, but then everything changed within a few minutes.  I had to grieve the loss of my sister, along with my family and community on Losar, instead of celebrating.  I am extremely sad and my mother is suffering cruelly from trauma.  I miss my sister every second.  My family's mission is to make sure this horrible tragedy doesn't happen to any other family.

There must be a traffic light instead of a stop sign for the crosswalk on Newtown Road and 45th Street, as well as 44th Street, and 46th Street.  These are the intersections that my sister and I would cross to go to Astoria Heights Playground, which was my sister's favorite place in the world.  I ask everyone, my teachers, friends, Tibetans, Astoria neighbors and New York City leaders to sign and support my petition to have a traffic light installed on 45th Street and Newtown Road.

Please support me, my late sister, my father, my mother and family members to make our only wish for my sister come true.  Installing a traffic light seems like such a small thing to do compared to the loss of my sister.

With deepest gratitude for signing,

Tsering Tashi Takgye