Dumfries, Va. –– The man who was struck and killed Friday near the Va. 234 commuter lot in Dumfries was working to make that area safer for drivers and pedestrians.
Miguel Zelaya-Jovel was working to install a traffic light at the intersection of a commuter lot and Va. 234, just north of U.S. 1, said Prince William County spokesman Jason Grant.
After the commuter lot was expanded by 490 parking spaces last year, officials in April noted the need for a stop light at the commuter lot entrance and had been working since that time to install the light.
But it didn’t come soon enough for Zelaya-Jovel. Police said Friday he may have not have been struck if he had used pedestrian cross walk, if one had been available, a Prince William police spokesman said Friday.
“This process takes time as each pole must be special ordered and requires substantial lead-time to produce. Once the manufacturer finishes the fabrication and delivers the hardware, the signal will be erected and secured in place,” said Grant.
The project is two months ahead of schedule, and the underground wiring and pole foundations have been put in place.
Officials say they are working as fast as possible erect the signal over the six-lane road, and when it is up, the lights will be set to blink for 72 hours before the signal is put into regular use.
Zelaya-Jovel was killed just before sunrise Friday as he attempted to cross Va. 234 and walk to the McDonalds restaurant across the street, when the driver of a Dodge Ram collided with the victim, and then the driver of a white box truck also struck the man, police said.
The driver of the box truck may not have known he hit the man and left the area, said police.
No charges were filed against the drivers, and police said the victim was at fault because he didn’t cross at an intersection with a crosswalk.
Grant said now county residents need to reflect on what can be done to make Prince William a safer place to live.
“Drivers need to obey all posted speed limits, drive with caution, share the road with cyclists, be aware of their surroundings, and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians should wear reflective clothing from dawn to dusk, cross roads only at designated crosswalks, and be aware of all oncoming traffic. If we all take time, obey the laws of the road, and use caution, perhaps we can avoid such tragedies in the future,” said Grant.
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