On October 9th, 2026, my little cousin Camila Mendoza Magallon and her friend, Nicole Cotzojay were eager to return to a high school football game. They were excitedly crossing the street on the 1100 block of Coffee Rd in Modesto, California, when tragedy struck. A vehicle hit them, taking their young lives. This heartbreaking loss is not an isolated incident and highlights the urgent need for safer pedestrian facilities in our community.

Coffee Rd is a bustling thoroughfare, frequented by students, families, and residents of all ages. Despite its high foot traffic, the 1100 block lacks essential safety features to protect pedestrians. The absence of a crosswalk button or flashing lights makes crossing the street perilous, especially during events at nearby schools or on busy weekends.

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that pedestrian fatalities remain a critical issue, with thousands of lives lost annually due to insufficient pedestrian infrastructure. Installing flashing lights or a crosswalk button would be a small but significantly effective measure. Studies show that such features can reduce pedestrian accidents by up to 88% (source: NHTSA reports).

We urge the Modesto City Council and traffic management authorities to prioritize the safety of our residents. By installing flashing lights or a crosswalk button on Coffee Rd, we can prevent further tragedies and save countless lives. The cost of implementation is minimal compared to the invaluable lives and the heartache that could be spared.

This is a plea to our local government and community leaders: let us take action now, make our streets safer, and honor the memory of those we've lost by ensuring no family has to endure such an unimaginable loss again.

Please sign this petition to demand immediate safety measures for pedestrians on Coffee Rd. Together, we can make a difference and protect our community from further tragedy. Your support can help turn this vision into reality.