The Kearns community in Utah is grappling with the tragic death of Adam Mahamat, a 12-year-old boy who was struck and killed by an SUV on his walk to Kearns Junior High School. The accident has raised urgent questions about road safety and responsibility in educating children on the matter. Sean Gomez, a Kearns Junior High student, recalled the rule he learned "from his mom" to always look both sides and to wait for vehicles to signal or pass before crossing, a practice that could be life-saving but isn't formally taught at school, as reported by FOX 13.
While the Granite School District does collaborate with local law enforcement to create safe walking routes and distribute pamphlets on crosswalk safety, they do not directly manage the crosswalks. This has led to a community outcry for more structured road safety measures, such as crossing guards. Parents and locals, including Daisy Larsen, express their fear and desire for added safety features. "No mom should ever have to go through this," Larsen said, as per KMYU, reflecting on the loss of young Adam and the daily worries she faces when dropping off her children.
In response to the community's concerns, the school district spokesperson Andrea Stringham explained their role in working with law enforcement and municipalities to assess the need for crossing guards at crosswalks. This collaboration is crucial for pinpointing areas like the intersection at 4140 West and Sam's Blvd, which will see a crossing guard in March, police confirmed. Amid these discussions, parents continue to advocate for lasting changes to ensure their children's safety.
Parents are not alone in their concerns. Amber Mills, Mahamat's former teacher, remembered him as "one of the sweetest, kindest students" and reiterated the ongoing issue at the intersection where the incident occurred. "I would hear students all the time being like, I almost got hit by a car," Mills said, as obtained by KUTV. Another parent, Lisa Martinez, offered to volunteer as a crossing guard and highlighted the temporary nature of caution at the sight of memorials. "People slow down now because they see the flowers and the cards. But when the flowers and the cards are gone, what happens?" Martinez questioned the long-term impact of temporary tributes.
