Abdul Seck, the pedestrian hit in a crash in Anacostia on Sunday, has died

Abdul Seck, who was visiting from New York City, died Sunday after he was struck by a driver while walking on the sidewalk in Anacostia. WAMU's Martin Austermuhle reports that the driver has been charged with second-degree murder.

.@DCPoliceDept confirms that the pedestrian (on a sidewalk) who was hit by a car that was itself hit by a driver who ran a stop sign over the weekend in Anacostia has died. He name was Abdul Seck, of the Bronx. The driver has been charged with second-degree murder.

— Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) April 22, 2019

A man driving a silver Chevrolet sedan ran a red light before striking a white Chevrolet sedan with a family inside at 16th and V streets, injuring a total of six people including two children and Seck, who was walking on a nearby sidewalk, Fox 5 reported.

Nearby residents responded with anger and grief—but not surprise.

Years and years of begging for assistance from the DC government for help on 16th st and Vst SE for traffic calming Please dont let these children be orphans!! @councilofdc @TeamMuriel @TheAdvoc8te @MayorBowser @trayonwhite @DDOTDC @TroyDonte @wcp @nbcwashington @ABC7Sam https://t.co/lelFw07nYV

— Greta Fuller (@gretajanet) April 21, 2019

I put in a request with @DDOTDC in October for this crosswalk to be painted. There are other improvements that need to be made, but this is the norm in my neighborhood. DDOT doesn’t take our lives seriously in W8.

cc: @trayonwhite, @DDOTDCDirector, @MayorBowser pic.twitter.com/6WudkzY3NZ

— ron. (@rondtjr) April 21, 2019

This is sad because I put @DDOTDC on notice about this intersection 2 years ago because an elder of that senior home right there was hit.

— Trayon White (@trayonwhite) April 21, 2019

Local residents say they have been demanding changes to the intersection, which is known to be dangerous, for many years. Neighbors described multiple crashes at this intersection, and say that it needs to be a four-way stop.

“This intersection is constantly like a game of chicken,” nearby resident Ronald Thompson says. His mother's vehicle was t-boned in the same intersection. “Ward 8 is especially devoid of safe roadways. People are dying, and people are getting injured. But there is something that we can do. It's as simple as a four-way stop and painting these crosswalks so that people can see them, and get speed bumps for the school that's right up the street.”

Thanks @rondtjr for demanding safer streets!!! https://t.co/SvbMi6FKF9

— Veronica (@VeronicaODavis) April 21, 2019

Local road safety advocates are already demanding the city's leaders do more.

I just witnessed a horrific accident on 16th and Vst, SE. a car sped through 2 stop signs and T-boned a car carrying a family, then took out a pedestrian on the corner waiting to cross. We need speed bumps and a 4-way stop sign. #visionzerodc #VisionZero @DDOTDC @MayorBowser

— Chris Atkin (@catkin76) April 21, 2019

Hey #BikeDC and #WalkDC, I know we just mourned someone. We need you to come out again to demand Vision Zero in all parts of the city. This Wednesday evening, we will rally at V St and 16th St SE in Historic Anacostia. Time TBD, but it will be after work-ish. https://t.co/olVuytMOOQ

— Matthew S, destroy all cars (@riotpedestrian) April 22, 2019

Abdul Seck would be likely never have been hit by a speeding motorist if there was something as simple as a four way stop at this intersection. @DDOTDC and @MayorBowser have blood on their hands. That’s no exaggeration. https://t.co/WvAr2MUryW

— ron. (@rondtjr) April 22, 2019

We at Greater Greater Washington are grieving the loss of a contributor and friend to many in our community on Friday, and the tragic death of a pedestrian on Sunday in Anacostia. Today will be devoted to articles about road safety and our memories of Dave Salovesh and Abdul Seck. There will be more actions in the coming days, and if you’d like to hear about them, sign up using the form below.

Keep me posted!