ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A 22-year-old Orlando man was struck and killed Thursday night while riding a motorized skateboard near the University of Central Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The fatal crash happened around 9 p.m. Thursday on Alafaya Trail at Central Florida Boulevard, just south of University Boulevard.
The FHP said a 30-year-old Orlando man was driving a 2021 Toyota Corolla north on Alafaya Trail and hit the 22-year-old, who was crossing the road in a marked crosswalk.
The skateboarder was taken to AdventHealth East Orlando, where he later died, the FHP said. The driver was not injured and remained at the scene, according to troopers.
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The FHP said the driver entered the intersection when the light was possibly yellow, an aspect of the case that remains under investigation.
Pedestrian safety around UCF has been a priority for Orange County in recent years. In June, commissioners approved a construction contract for a project in the area of Alafaya Trail, McCulloch Road, and University Boulevard.
At the meeting, Mayor Jerry Demings spoke about the high volume of pedestrians in the corridors close to UCF. He also acknowledged the past tragedies that resulted in a safety study released in 2017.
In 2014, Brooke Dawkins was killed near Alafaya and Gemini. In 2017, Austin Ekern’s father says his son was visiting from FSU when he was hit by a car along Alafaya Trail. The same year Alexandria Clark was killed crossing University Boulevard.
Their families have waited for years for improvements to be made.
News 6 spoke with a senior engineer at Orange County Public Works on Friday about the project they have planned, which includes adding a 10-foot sidewalk on the east side of Alafaya Trail, lighting to make pedestrians easier to see at night, and mid-block crossings and fencing that will encourage pedestrians to cross in safer locations.
“Hopefully we can make a difference,” Cathy Evangelo said. “We’re trying.”
Evangelo said construction should start in the next three months once the county finalizes some utility issues.
“It has about a 16-month timeframe, so about this time next year you’ll see the improvements,” Evangelo said.
The work is a collaboration between the county, Florida Department of Transportation and UCF. Several interim safety improvements that did not have to go through the design process have already been made including:
Pedestrian warning flashing beacons (constant operation) were installed for:
- Westbound University Boulevard near Turbine Drive
- Eastbound University Boulevard near Systems Way
- Southbound Alafaya Trail near Pasteur Drive
- Northbound Alafaya Trail near Central Florida Boulevard
Pedestrian Warning Pavement Markings
- Northbound and Southbound Alafaya Trail at the flashing beacons near Pasteur Drive and Central Florida Boulevard
Advisory signs (Turning Vehicles Yield to Pedestrians) were installed for:
- Eastbound University Boulevard at Alafaya Trail
- Northbound and southbound Alafaya Trail at University Boulevard
Sidewalk message marking (Eyes Up Ears Open Look For Cars) was installed for:
- Northwest and southwest corners of the University Boulevard/Alafaya Trail intersection
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