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Indy leaders, neighbors seek safety upgrades after car hits bicycling brothers, kills 1

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — City leaders and neighbors are calling for increased safety on the roads after two brothers on bicycles were hit by a car Saturday night.

The youngest of them, 11-year-old Isai Raymundo, died in the crash.

Around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, the two brothers, ages 11 and 15, crossed North Post Road to get from one apartment complex to another. Before they reached the other side, they were hit by a southbound car. The 15-year-old went to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

“It’s sad when anybody loses their life, but especially when it involves children,” Lawrence Deputy Police Chief Gary Woodruff said. “That’s really tough. So, of course, our hearts go out to the affected family and everybody that was affected as a part of this terrible tragedy. It is compounded with their age and the fact that they’re siblings.”

Without police lights, the few lights that are in place along North Post Road don’t give much to illuminate the street. On top of that, drivers often go faster than the 40 mph speed limit.

“There’s a lot of people that walk around here because they don’t own cars and stuff,” area resident Brisa Olvera said. “So, kids, children, old people, everybody is walking. Especially from these apartment complexes right here. Then the traffic is always crazy. I always kind of struggle to get out of here because there’s cars coming from all sides.”

Lawrence police hadn’t released by Sunday what led up to the crash, but two Indianapolis City-County Council members released a statement asking drivers to slow down and saying they were heartbroken about the incident.

“We are heartbroken to learn that last night, two young brothers out enjoying the summer night on their bikes were struck by a car as they attempted to cross Post Road. One brother, just 11 years old, was killed; his 15-year-old brother was seriously injured. This morning, as many of our neighbors are sending up their Sunday prayers, we hope they will join us in sending up one for the family and loved ones of these boys as they grapple with their devastating loss.

Unfortunately, last night’s accident was one of several in recent weeks involving cars and pedestrians or cyclists. We implore motorists in our Districts and across the city to slow down and be extra careful to look out for your neighbors on foot or bicycles. Doing so can reduce the number of preventable and senseless accidents and help other families avoid this type of tragedy.”

Indianapolis City-County Council members La Keisha Jackson and Keith Graves

Neighbors say there’s a way to help drivers and pedestrians at the same time.

“They probably need a green and red light right here for both the apartment complexes and something. Yes, lights would probably work,” Olvera said.

Police say the crash is still under investigation.

The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the 11-year-old killed in the crash after the video aired Sunday night.