Louisville officials and community members are pressing for safety improvements after a man was fatally struck by an SUV while attempting to cross Preston Highway outside a marked crosswalk on Thursday night. The victim was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after the 9 p.m. collision.
Local concerns about road conditions
Business owner Marc Maguire, who has operated a car lot on Preston Highway for a decade, said the tragedy was not unexpected. “You see pedestrians going across all up and down Preston Highway,” he told reporters. Maguire recalled a similar fatality at the same location just days before Christmas, adding, “It’s great conditions to have an accident.”
Residents echo his concerns, noting that the stretch of Preston Highway where the crash occurred is poorly lit. “Up and down Preston is pretty dark,” said longtime driver Bobby Langley. “Preston’s kind of got neglected when it comes to new streetlights.”
City officials outline incremental safety steps
While Preston Highway lies outside councilman Ken Herndon’s district, he said the safety challenges affect the broader Louisville area. “We have a higher‑than‑normal pedestrian safety issue here, and we’ve been trying to address that with various means,” Herndon explained.
Herndon highlighted ongoing efforts downtown, such as installing flashing lights at crosswalks, converting certain streets to two‑way traffic to reduce vehicle speeds, and adjusting traffic‑signal timing to give pedestrians more time to cross safely. “It’s not one broad brush stroke to fix it all, but little tweaks along the way to make it safer,” he added.
Police response and legal outlook
Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) confirmed that the driver of the SUV remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. No charges are expected to be filed at this time.
LMPD also reported that 19 pedestrians have been struck and killed in Louisville this year, underscoring a growing public‑safety concern.
Community calls for action
Local residents and advocacy groups are urging the city to prioritize additional street lighting, clearer crosswalk markings, and possible speed‑reduction measures on Preston Highway. Many point to the corridor’s heavy traffic volume and the lack of safe crossing points as contributing factors.
“We need a comprehensive plan that addresses lighting, signage, and enforcement,” said a neighborhood association representative who asked to remain unnamed. “Our families deserve safe streets.”
Next steps
The city’s transportation department is scheduled to review the Preston Highway corridor at its upcoming public‑works meeting. Officials say they will consider input from residents, business owners, and law‑enforcement agencies before recommending any new infrastructure projects.
As Louisville continues to grapple with a high number of pedestrian fatalities, the conversation around road safety, community involvement, and municipal responsibility remains a focal point for local leaders and citizens alike.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
