Student’s death in crosswalk prompts safety upgrades in Lewiston

The City of Lewiston is taking steps to improve pedestrian safety in the aftermath of several fatal accidents in recent years, including the death of 13-year-old Jayden Cho-Sargent. Jayden was struck in a crosswalk while walking to school on Nov. 3.

A pedestrian safety report, compiled by City Council President Kristen Cloutier, state Sen. Nate Libby, and School Committee Chairwoman Linda Scott, was presented to the City Council this week. The report identifies problem intersections and ways to make them safer. The city intends to make many of the upgrades proposed in the report, officials told the Sun Journal newspaper. The intersection of Main and Frye streets, where Jayden was killed, will be upgraded this year.

Berman & Simmons attorney Steven Silin will represent Jayden’s family in any civil actions arising from his death.

WCSH-6 and the Lewiston Sun Journal reported on the City Council workshop. Here is an excerpt from the Sun Journal report:

Cho-Sargent’s death jolted efforts to address pedestrian safety in the city, where the issue had already been in the spotlight. Just days after the accident, more than 50 people packed a community forum on pedestrian safety and city staff began an inventory of city crosswalks.

“It was a wake-up call for all of us, that we need to be more adamant about pedestrian safety in this community,” Cloutier said during the workshop Tuesday, adding that officials “heard loud and clear from residents that we really needed to take some steps to address” the issue during the forum.