SAN DIEGO, California – On Sunday, an emotional vigil took place in University Heights to honor victims of traffic accidents in California and call on local leaders to improve road safety and prevent more San Diego car accidents. The event, held as part of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, brought together survivors, families, and safety advocates who demanded urgent measures to prevent further tragedies.
Among those in attendance was Dr. Anna Cornelius-Schecter, a 32-year-old physician who survived a bicycle accident in Long Beach. After suffering severe injuries, including cardiac arrest and multiple fractures that required surgery, Cornelius-Schecter emphasized the need for action:
“Lives lost to traffic violence are not accidents. They are the result of political inaction.”
Alarming Traffic Fatality Statistics in San Diego
According to the University of California, Berkeley, approximately 250 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in San Diego County last year, many of whom were pedestrians or cyclists. To illustrate the scale of this loss, vigil organizers lined Alice Birney Park with over 250 pairs of empty shoes—athletic sneakers, high heels, and tiny children’s footwear—symbolizing the lives cut short.
Attendees displayed photos of victims while sharing heartbreaking stories of loss. Laura Keenan, founder of Families for Safe Streets San Diego, recounted the story of her husband, who was killed while biking to a movie. Standing beside her was her 4-year-old son. Others shared similar tragedies: a husband struck in a crosswalk, a spouse killed by a drunk driver, and a teenage nephew hit by a garbage truck.
Calls for Immediate Action on Road Safety
Nathan Swett, whose teenage nephew was fatally struck in La Mesa, urged city leaders to prioritize safety:
“Every time we fix a dangerous intersection, lower a speed limit, or add barriers between cars and bike lanes, we are choosing to protect lives over convenience.”
City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn attended the vigil, acknowledging the frustration of those present and highlighting the urgency of implementing safety measures. While San Diego has committed to eliminating traffic deaths by 2025, fatalities have risen in recent years. Initiatives like roundabouts and wider pedestrian crossings are being tested, but achieving meaningful change may require substantial investment.
Stories of Hope and Survival
Amid the sorrow, there were also accounts of resilience. Fourteen-year-old Caleb Carvalho, struck by a garbage truck in September, is on a long road to recovery following three surgeries. Reflecting on his experience, he shared:
“What’s hardest to accept is that traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable. What we lack is the commitment to make these changes happen.”
Dr. Cornelius-Schecter, who plans to return to work as a gynecologist next year after months of rehabilitation, stressed that road safety should not rely on chance:
“No one should have to depend on the kind of luck I’ve had to stay alive.”
A Call to the Community
Vigil organizers, alongside local coalitions like Circulate San Diego and Families for Safe Streets San Diego, appealed for collaboration between the community and local leaders to prioritize road safety. With concrete measures and political will, they hope to prevent more families from enduring the heartbreak of losing loved ones.
The San Diego vigil is a reminder that traffic tragedies are not inevitable. Every life lost is a call to action. As a community, we must demand change to save lives and ensure safe streets for all. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.
