Parents Demand Changes On Howe Avenue After Student's Death

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Parents of Howe Avenue Elementary School are complaining that their voices haven't been heard after a 7-year-old boy walking home from school was struck and killed by a car on Thursday.

Outraged parents demanded answers after Tayvon Webb was killed crossing the busy street along a block with no sidewalk.

"It's one of the most dangerous locations in this area to have a school to have your kids walk home from," said parent Shawn Henderson on Friday.

"My condolences to the family, but this shouldn't be going," another parent, Ellen Byers, said of the safety issues.

Parents tell CBS13 they've been complaining for years, so Koula Gianulias took their concerns to the San Juan Unified School District, asking a spokesman if they'll make changes to keep children safe along neighboring streets.

"The death of the student is tragic," said the district's Roger Stock, "We're always looking for ways to ensure student safety, tragedy or no tragedy."

Stock says they'll continue reaching out to Sacramento County, where the transportation department determines which areas receive sidewalks and crosswalks. A county spokesman says Howe Avenue Elementary was already on their priority list, but CBS13 asked why something hadn't already been done.

"It'll be a consideration," the county's Lupe Rodriguez said of making changes now. "There are a lot of similar areas with similar needs."

The first step in making changes, a walk audit, is scheduled for Tuesday. The county said the audit was scheduled before Tayvon's death.

Meanwhile, his family and friends assembled near the site of his death on Friday, holding up signs imploring drivers to slow down.