HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Henrico County residents are expressing concern about a road on which two pedestrians were killed less than five miles apart over the course of a month.
According to the Henrico County Division of Police, 22-year-old Diamond Naketa Downs of Henrico was attempting to cross Brook Road near the 9800 block just before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, when she was hit by the driver of a Hyundai Santa Fe. She died at the scene.
Just over a month later, at 10:03 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, Henrico Police officers responded to the 5200 block of Brook Road for a reported traffic crash involving a pedestrian.
Once at the scene, officers found a woman in the road with obvious signs of trauma. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later identified the woman as 52-year-old Lolita Brumfield of Henrico.
“You think they would do something about it,” Henrico resident NiAsia Ayers said. “For this to constantly happen is a big issue.”
Ayers told 8News she lives and works near where Downs was killed in early February.
“I was devastated. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ Like, it’s so close to home. Like, it’s within two minutes of my house,” Ayers said.
Police said non-reflective clothing and poor lighting were contributing factors in both crashes. They also said that in both incidents, the drivers involved stayed at the scene. Whether more could be done to protect pedestrians in this area is something Henrico residents are now asking.
“There’s only one side that has sidewalk. It kind of needs to have two, and it needs to be more safe, more secured,” Ayers said.
8News asked the Henrico County Department of Public Works, as well as the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) about whether any projects to improve pedestrian safety will take place on Brook Road in the future. Henrico County sent the following statement in response:
“The Department of Public Works has been adding patches of sidewalk to Brook Road as development occurs in the area in the last few years. We are currently working to secure funding to close some of the gaps in sidewalks along the road. There are also proposed plans in place for new pedestrian crossings all over the county, including on Brook Road. Those plans have been submitted for funding as well. Please note that as a VDOT-owned road, any plans for Brook Road must be done in collaboration with VDOT.”
VDOT shared the following statement in response to the inquiry:
“The safety of all motorists and pedestrians is one of VDOT’s top priorities. VDOT and Henrico County have identified the need for pedestrian safety improvements along the Brook Road corridor. We are working with Henrico to seek funding opportunities and further develop the project.”
