I-Team: Crosswalks on Sumner Ave

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It's been a month since a mother was killed crossing Sumner Avenue in Springfield with her baby.

The 22News I-Team investigates if anything is being done to make that area safer.

The city engineer told the 22News I-Team they know it's a location where a lot of people  cross, but whether it's a safe place for a crosswalk is another question.

It's been a month since 19-year-old Ashley Ballester was hit and killed crossing Sumner Avenue in Springfield.

And people familiar with that stretch of road told 22News it's just as dangerous as it was before.

"People in cars don't want to stop even if it's a red light," said Springfield's Patrick Woodard.

Cars still drive fast and the 22News I-Team cameras captured people who continue to dart through traffic not using crosswalks, sometimes with children.

Springfield's Rafael Serrano admits he's one of them.

"I like walking on crosswalks but some of them are way too far out or way too over there and I have to get somewhere fast, I need medicine," said Springfield's Rafael Serrano.

Pedestrians claim there needs to be another crosswalk.

The 22News I-Team took that to City Engineer Chris Cignoli.

"Right now there isn't plans to put one in, that doesn't mean if someone asked for one we wouldn't look at it," Cignoli said.

Cignoli admits while its been a number of years since the city looked into Sumner as a potential place for a new crosswalk he doesn't think it is a good candidate as there are a number of factors they take into consideration.

He says they consider the number of side streets, whether there's on-street parking that would make it harder to see pedestrians and how fast the cars are going.

"We have to go through an analysis to determine if it's safe and unfortunately when you're dealing with a mid-block meaning not at an intersection, it usually comes back that its not safe because you can't control the traffic," Cignoli added.

Cignoli says crosswalks don't belong just anywhere.

If they install on at an inappropriate or dangerous location and someone gets hurt, it's the city that could be at fault.

If there's an area you think needs a crosswalk you are encouraged to speak up.

Cignoli says have a conversation with your neighborhood council, get them on board so they can make your case to the city.