Calls for better lighting at Parc Avenue intersection where 11-year-old boy was fatally struck

The tragic death of 11-year-old Jacob Austerlitz, who was struck by a grocery delivery truck in Montreal's Mile-End neighborhood, has deeply shaken the local community.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Bernard Street and Parc Avenue, where Jacob was attempting to cross the street to meet friends. The community, described as close-knit, is in mourning, with a memorial of flowers, a stuffed animal, and a red paper heart placed at the site.

Mayer Feig, an activist and volunteer paramedic, arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and described the boy as critically injured upon impact, noting that nothing could have been done to save him.

The 28-year-old driver, who was uninjured, remained on the scene for questioning by police. Feig stressed the importance of road safety, calling for greater vigilance from all road users—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—especially at intersections like the one where the incident occurred.

The community is now demanding better road safety measures, particularly at this intersection, citing poor lighting as a contributing factor to accidents. Feig mentioned that several drivers had previously expressed concerns about the area's visibility at night, noting that they sometimes preferred walking instead of driving due to inadequate street lighting.

Montreal police reported that 16 pedestrians have been killed on the island of Montreal this year, with the most recent being a 38-year-old man killed in a separate incident.

Road safety experts, like André Durocher from CAA-Québec, acknowledged that while certain intersections may be riskier due to their configuration or poor visibility, dangerous driving behaviors also contribute to these accidents.

Durocher emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to road safety that includes enforcement, education, and improved engineering of traffic areas.