Hit-and-run victim's mom makes plea to city

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The family of a teenager killed in a hit-and-run in New Britain is pleading with the city to take action so it doesn't happen again to somebody else.

They say the road is dangerous for pedestrians.

Barbara Playa walked into City Hall with more than a thousand signatures. She wants the town council to put a stop sign on North Street where her son was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Surveillance video caught the accident, and police say it shows a tan, older model sedan running over Jackson Dejesus.

"I promised my son today as I was burying him, that I would get him justice and I would get something done with this street," said Playa, "because too many people are getting hurt. Today a dog got killed right in front of my eyes, an old guy."

While police are still trying to find the driver of the car, town council thinks a stop sign at the intersection would help slow traffic, but they want to do more.

"They are also looking at some removable speed bumps that we can put in place during the summer time, but also remove them during the winter if necessary," said Alderman Michael Trueworthy, council president.

The memorial continues to grow as people add signs and pictures and candles for Jackson. Police are also on the sidewalk running radar.

Police were out all afternoon, visible, standing by the side of the road with a radar gun and still people were speeding. One of the problems on North St. is that it is a long straight road that comes down a hill where it is easy to gain speed and momentum.

So while police and the city leaders are doing what they can to slow traffic, the residents are doing their part as well.

"We took his plate number and called the cops," said Rosa Santiago, victim's aunt, "he lives right across the street from me. And that is what I have to do, take matters into my hands and call the cops and do what we got to do."