As a concerned resident of Plant City, FL, I am writing this petition to address an urgent safety issue that has deeply affected our community. The intersection of U.S. 92 and Jim Leffler Circle has become an extremely dangerous area.

This petition comes in light of the most recent accident at this intersection; a crash that resulted in the tragic loss of 6 lives, including three children, and the severe injury of another adult.

According to Hillsborough County Police Department records, there have been numerous accidents at this particular intersection, resulting in fatalities and severe injuries due to high traffic volume combined with inadequate safety measures. However, since this junction is considered a private road, a mere stop sign is considered to be enough, and no other safety measure is required.

That does not mean further measures are not necessary.

According to the FRA, Florida is ranked #4 in the country for total railway collisions, with 51 injuries and 20 deaths in 2022 alone. These numbers can be decreased by installing proper safety measurements in and around intersections.

Honorable Officials, we are respectfully petitioning you to take urgent action and install a crossing gate at the intersection of US-92 and Jim Leffler Circle. As the number of tragic accidents and fatalities continues to rise, it is clear that the current situation is dangerous and needs to be addressed urgently. Installing a crossing gate at this intersection is the most effective measure to reduce the risk of further injury and loss of life. We, as a community, appeal to you to take prompt measures and ensure the safety of all members of our community.

Together, we can make a difference and prevent further loss of life in our community. Let us come together and demand the necessary actions to protect the lives of our loved ones, friends, and neighbors.

To close, I would like to give my personal reasons for creating this petition. As a Plant City native and resident since birth, I have heard and witnessed many accidents involving trains. However, this most recent collision hits home for me. The two eldest children of the crash, Alyssa and Jakub, both attended my former high school, only three grades below me. Although I did not receive the pleasure of knowing either of them personally, I know that both were absolute joys, full of love and light, and they deserved to live, to grow, to graduate, and to flourish just as the rest of us do.

Jose Hernandez, 52; Enedelia Hernandez, 50; Alyssa Hernandez, 17; Anaelia Hernandez, 22; Julian Hernandez, 9; and Jakub A. Lopez, 17, will be dearly missed. We need to do better and install proper safety measures in their honor.

Thank you for your support in signing this petition and for standing up for the safety of all residents in Plant City, FL. Together, we can create positive change that will save lives.