Arrest warrant issued in crash that killed 6-year-old riding bike in Glen Hazel
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A woman is facing charges after a 6-year-old riding a bicycle was hit and killed in Glen Hazel.
Rhonda Wood, 63, is facing charges of homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, careless driving involving a death and a stop sign violation, police announced Monday.
Jamel Austin was hit while riding his bike around 8:30 p.m. on July 26 at an intersection on Johnston Avenue, where neighbors said drivers blow through the stop signs in both directions. His bike was pinned underneath the SUV, and one neighbor said he tried to get out but was unable. He died at a hospital.
Austin's grandmother has made it her mission to keep his friends safe.
Residents have long asked for speed humps and signs to alert drivers of kids at play near the intersection where the 6-year-old was killed but nothing has been done.
Signs that read "Slow down, Jamel Austin's friends play here" are posted on both sides of the intersection where he was killed.
But family members said that's not enough to prevent another senseless death along a busy street.
"We got children, little lives. We got to take that seriously," Austin's grandmother Deshieba Wilder said.
Wilder is angry. She's angry not only because Jamel should be here today but because nothing has been done in the two months since.
"Yes I'm angry and still hurt about my youngest grandson, very much so, pain is not easing up. But I can't see it happening to another family," she said.
Flowers, teddy bears and a ghost bicycle mark the spot where the 6-year-old took his last breath.
A warrant has been issued for Wood's arrest.
"Being charged and being convicted is two different things. Now we gotta see what the district attorney is gonna do. Is he gonna follow through? Is he gonna follow through with the evidence of what the eyewitnesses are saying?" Wilder said.
Witnesses at the scene told KDKA they saw Wood, who lives in less than a mile from the crash site, blow through the stop sign before she struck Austin.
On Tuesday, children at play signs appear approaching the intersection. But Wilder says that's not enough.
The family wants speed humps, a traffic light, the speed limit reduced, but most importantly, a crossing guard during the school year.
Until that happens, Austin's grandmother is taking matters into her own hands and acting as a crossing guard.
"I've been out here every day since the very first day of school, Aug. 17," Wilder said. "I'm going to make it so it don't happen again. If it happens again then that means I knew something was wrong on this block and I let it continue to go on. I can't ride with that on my conscience."
Flowers line the front door of Austin's home. Wilder said people continue to lay them at the family's doorstep.
She said just like those people will never forget, neither will she. That's why it's her mission to make sure Austin's friends stay safe.
"Something did happen and now you're waiting for it to happen again," Wilder said.
Mayor Ed Gainey's office told KDKA a public meeting is set for Oct. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Glen Hazel Recreation Center to discuss what needs to be done in that area to ensure everyone's safety. It can be attended in person or virtually.
