Western Conn. State University working to make Danbury street safer

DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) -- A fatal pedestrian accident is spurring change in Danbury. Now city and University officials want to take new steps to make White Street safer.

In a crosswalk, at night, 19-year-old Dong Lin was struck and killed by a car.

"We aren't used to losing students, it was a horrible time for this campus, and obviously for his family, the students who knew him," said Paul Steinmetz, spokesperson for Western Connecticut State University.

It happened back in November of 2011. Since then, he says they're working to improve White Street. They have a pedestrian bridge, signs, and crosswalks, but they're working with the state and city for more measures.

"It's a very busy street and it goes right through our campus," said Steinmetz.

"I don't have time, I'm always in a rush and I don't have time to go to the bridge," said Mielle Billant, exchange student.

"I cross every day to get to class and stuff," said Chris Reagan, sophomore.

Their plan to safety is three fold. First, install pedestrian lights. Secondly, the city did a study and found there's a lot of jaywalking in front of Soho Pizza, students grab a slice on the way to and from class, so there are plans to put a crosswalk there.

"The one by Soho's makes sense because a lot of students cut across it anyways," Reagan said. "So, you might as well make it legit."

And the final part of the plan would be to put up a fence to deter students from jaywalking.

"We're working very hard to make this street as safe as possible so that it doesn't happen again," Steinmetz said.

He says the three changes would cost more than $200,000. There's no timeline for when any of it will be in place.