Mom of Victim of Fatal Hit and Run Asks for Changes
The mother of a New Britain teenager killed in a hit-and-run begs for changes.
A New Britain mother whose son was killed in a hit-and-run crash is asking the police commission to add speed bumps to the street where her son was struck.
The mother of a New Britain teenager who killed in a hit-and-run crash is on a mission to crack down on speeding on North Street.
Jackson DeJesus was struck while he was crossing the street earlier this month, and his mother said it could have been prevented with speed bumps.
Barbara Playa went before the New Britain Police Commission Tuesday evening, asking them to install speed bumps on North Street.
“My son lost his life. … I really need you guys to please help me, to put speed bumps or something like that on the street. It’s very dangerous,” Playa said.
Playa lost her son July 4, days after he was struck by a car. Witnesses said the car hit Jackson DeJesus didn’t stop.
There are stop signs in the immediate area where the impact took place, but DeJesus’ family said that’s not enough.
“Speed bumps will keep them slow. They’re not going to damage their vehicle,” said Playa.
Luis Playa, Barbara Playa’s brother, said speeding is a problem in the area, even though it’s in a 25 mile-per-hour school zone.
“It’s a public safety issue … that needs to get addressed,” Luis Playa said.
The commission said it’s stepping up law enforcement in the area and conducting traffic studies to determine what the best solution is to stop people from speeding.
Barbara said she hopes the person who took her son’s life is caught soon.
“I just hope somebody speaks out. ... An anonymous call would help,” Playa said.
In the meantime, she vowed to keep fighting, to make North Street safer.
“It had to come to this, losing my son, but hopefully, it doesn’t happen to anybody else,” Playa said.
The New Britain Police Commission meets again next month. By then, they expect to have a plan to crack down on speeding on North Street.
