Program Updates
The past month has been a difficult one, with multiple tragedies impacting communities across the city. On a single day, July 17th, we lost two members of our city to traffic violence, one in Kensington and another in Rittenhouse, while a third was nearly killed in Germantown. VisionZeroPHL joins communities from all over the city to mourn the deaths of Dr. Barbara Friedes, Christopher Cabrera, and the numerous other victims of traffic violence that we have lost on our streets. This month, we devote the newsletter to honor the memory of some of the Philadelphians we lost to traffic violence in July.
Chrisopher Cabrera
Christopher Cabrera, 38 years old, was killed by a hit-and-run driver on July 17th while he was waiting to cross the street in Kensington. Around 7:30pm, a driver jumped the curb on the corner of Frankford and Allegheny Avenues and fatally struck Cabrera.
Dr. Barbara Friedes
Dr. Barbara Freides, 30 years old, was killed on the evening of July 17th while riding her bike near Rittenhouse Square. Around 7pm, Friedes was riding her bicycle near the intersection of 18th and Spruce Streets. Friedes was travelling in the bike lane when a driver traveling at excessive speed swerved into the bike lane and fatally struck her.
Madison Yuliet Morales
Madison Yuliet Morales, just 22 months old, was killed by a driver on the evening of July 20th at the intersection of North Front Street and West Wyoming Avenue. Madison was being pushed in her stroller by her mother crossing the street along with her two siblings, when the group of four was struck shortly before 9pm.
Each of these deaths, and the countless names not mentioned, were preventable.
Families for Safe Streets has been advocating for pedestrian safety in Philadelphia since 2018. Comprised of victims of traffic violence, their families and loved ones, and pedestrian safety advocates. The organization fights for change in street design, transportation policy, and other life-saving solutions at the local and state level.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by traffic violence, Families for Safe Streets is available to provide support and opportunities to connect with other individuals and families that have been through similar tragedies. If you’d like to learn more about Families for Safe Streets, you can see their website here.
Join the Conversation
Vision Zero aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and severe injuries on Philadelphia streets www.visionzerophl.com. Follow OTIS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and help us to share safety messages with your networks using the hashtag #VisionZeroPHL.
Do you have events, accomplishments, or calls to action to share with the Vision Zero Task Force and subcommittees? Send your next month’s updates by Friday, August 23rd to Cole Appelman at nicholas.appelman@phila.gov.