A Somber Moment for Our Community

A memorial at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and 2nd Street

This weekend, what should have been a normal evening out turned into tragedy. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Sophia Troetel, Josiah Santos, and Katya Castillo-Mendoza. Our hearts are with everyone grieving their loss.

We do not often issue statements like this. Each time a tragedy occurs, we wrestle with whether speaking publicly might add to a family’s pain. But tragedies like these have become far too common in our community and remaining silent feels impossible. We share these words not to politicize loss, but because every life lost on our streets matters and every loss should move us to act.

This was not an isolated incident. Just this year, 78 people have already lost their lives in traffic crashes on Tucson’s streets. The data confirms what many of us already feel: our streets are dangerous for people walking, biking, and even driving. And to use public transit, our safest mode, means navigating streets designed to move cars fast.

These tragedies are preventable.

We know what works: high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian-activated signals, accessible and protected bus stops, protected bike lanes, lower speeds, and street designs that put people first.

Tucson has begun exploring Vision Zero, a proven approach to eliminating traffic deaths. But exploration is not enough. We need full commitment from leadership, adequate funding, and the urgency that this crisis demands.

The community is already acting. Over 7,000 people have signed a petition for safety improvements at Euclid and 2nd Street, the site of this tragedy. The Department of Transportation & Mobility is prioritizing this intersection for improvements. Yet this is only one of many dangerous intersections, and without sustained investment, preventable crashes will continue.

World Day of Remembrance on November 16th reminds us to honor those killed or injured on our roads. We remember Sophia, Josiah, Katya, and the 75 others lost this year.

Every name represents a family and a community forever changed.

Moments like this remind us that change does not happen on its own. Each of us has a role to play in making Tucson’s streets safer. Here are a few ways to take action today.

·      Learn about Vision Zero and share it widely so more people understand that these tragedies are preventable.

·      Contact your City Council Member. Urge them to support a commitment for zero deaths on our streets and funding for safety improvements.

·      Speak up at a Mayor and Council meeting. Share why safe streets matter to you. When community members speak with one voice, change becomes possible.

·      Find support if you or someone you love has been affected by traffic violence, Families for Safe Streets offers a post-crash resource guide and virtual support gatherings.

We cannot accept these tragedies as normal. Every life lost is preventable, and every voice matters.

Together, we can move from grief to change and create a Tucson where everyone whether walking, biking, taking the bus or driving can get home safely.