The city of Gainesville wants to wrest away from the state control over portions of West University Avenue near the University of Florida they believe are dangerous to pedestrians.
Their goal is for the city to move ahead with installing safety features for pedestrians and bicyclists instead of having to wait for the Florida Department of Transportation.
The City Commission on Thursday night voted to ask the transportation agency to allow the city to take control over portions of the road closest to the University of Florida, as well as take on other safety measures.
The latest pedestrian death occurred Saturday night, when 19-year-old Sophia Lambert died at the hospital hours after a crash on West University Avenue.
A University of Florida student has died and four others were injured following a crash on West University Avenue Saturday evening.
Sophia Lambert, a 19-year-old sophomore, died from injuries sustained in the crash. The other four students, and one of the two drivers, were transported to UF Health Shands Hospital, but the extent of their injuries remains unknown, said Gainesville police spokesman Graham Glover.
Around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, five pedestrians were standing at the intersection of Northwest 17th Street and the 1700 block of West University Avenue, when a Honda Civic headed east collided with a westbound Honda Accord that was attempting to turn left onto Northwest 17th Street, according to a police news release. The Honda Civic then skidded sideways before hitting a pole and the five pedestrians, all UF students.