Residents describe South New Hampshire Avenue and 4th Street as a dangerous intersection - and it appears the Los Angeles Department of Transportation has known its danger for years.
Last Thursday night, 9-year-old Nadir Gavarrete and his older brother were riding an e-scooter when they were struck by an RV at the intersection. Nadir died and his brother was injured.
"It's a very clear problem. What happened the other day, many people witnessed, and it is something that is so horrific," Koreatown resident Mir said.
Eyewitness News found documents from LADOT in 2020 that show there are plans to build a mini roundabout, which said the project is "designed to calm traffic and improve connections and crossings for everyone, whether walking, biking, rolling, or driving."
There is even a rendering of what the roundabout would look like. Documents as of last year say the project is still under review.
"It's a failure of the city being complacent, being too slow to take action," said Bianca Cockrell, who is a volunteer with Crosswalks Collective LA - a group that paints crosswalks where there are none.
Video from over the weekend shows they painted a crosswalk at the intersection and dedicated it to Nadir, with a message that said, "In memory of Nadir Gavarrete."
"We hope by them seeing these four crosswalks now they'll say, 'We have to do something because now these things keep adding up,'" Cockrell said.
The intersection is actually quite busy as people try to avoid other busy streets such as Vermont Avenue.
"There's stop signs in every corner and some (drivers) won't even stop," Koreatown resident Ricardo Lopez said.
People say waiting for the city to act has been frustrating.
"Everything here happened the 'right way,'" Cockrell said. "They talked to the neighborhood council, the city has plans. They talked to Caltrans. They have funding even, and people still died."
Eyewitness News contacted LADOT for a response. A spokesperson issued the following statement:
"The recent traffic fatality at the intersection of 4th & New Hampshire is a tragedy that no family should endure. LADOT remains committed to delivering safer streets for all road users, and installs thousands of critical safety improvements and upgrades each year. In 2020, LADOT began gathering community input to inform new safety
improvements at this intersection. Design work for a neighborhood roundabout, access ramps, and street lighting was completed by LADOT and the Bureau of Engineering in March of this year. The City has begun the contract bidding process and construction is expected to begin next year."
The office of L.A. City Councilmember Heather Hutt sent us a statement that said:
"Today our office learned that the roundabout planned on New Hampshire Avenue and 4th Street has been fully funded. We are working with the Bureau of Engineering to get this project expedited, and look forward to making this area safer for everyone."