San Marcos, CA — Community members in San Marcos are calling for safety improvements at a busy intersection near San Marcos High School after a tragic accident involving a student. Early Thursday morning, a 16-year-old girl was struck by a car while crossing Rancho Santa Fe Road near San Marcos Boulevard. According to her family, she sustained life-threatening injuries, and doctors do not expect her to survive.
The accident has left the community in shock, raising urgent questions about the safety of an intersection frequented by hundreds of students daily. Parents, students, and local businesses are voicing concerns, and many are now calling for immediate action from city officials to prevent further accidents.
A Dangerous Intersection Near School Grounds
The collision happened just after 6:30 a.m., when the driver was traveling northbound on Rancho Santa Fe Road. According to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, the driver remained on the scene and is cooperating with investigators, who do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved. Fire crews promptly arrived to provide aid before transporting the teen to the hospital, where her condition was reported as life-threatening.
This tragic incident has highlighted what some local residents see as longstanding dangers at the intersection. Chris Flores, who works at an auto shop near the scene, described a scene of disruption and concern as police shut down the intersection for hours. Despite the heavy police presence, students continued to cross the busy street, a stark reminder of how many pedestrians navigate the area daily.
Parents and Community Members Express Fears
Parents like Sandra Pavon, whose son attends a nearby school, are now second-guessing allowing their children to walk to school. “It’s really concerning and just frightening as a parent to let your kids walk to school,” Pavon said. Like many parents, she’s troubled by the high volume of students and vehicles that converge on the intersection each morning.
Several parents have taken to social media to share safety ideas, calling for infrastructure improvements to protect young pedestrians. Suggestions include constructing an overpass or bridge to separate foot traffic from vehicles or placing crossing guards to help manage the flow of people and cars during peak school hours. These suggestions echo a larger call from the community for the city to consider drastic changes that could make the intersection safer for everyone.
Calls for Action from the City of San Marcos
San Marcos residents are urging the city to take decisive action to address what they see as a severe safety hazard. While city officials have not yet responded to inquiries about potential improvements, parents and local business owners are pushing for the city to prioritize safety enhancements for the intersection. Many believe that adding pedestrian-focused infrastructure, such as traffic lights dedicated to crossings or elevated walkways, could be a lifesaving improvement.
A Broader Concern for Pedestrian Safety Near Schools
The incident has brought to light broader concerns about pedestrian safety near school zones in San Diego County. According to advocates, intersections near schools are frequently congested with parents, students, and commuters, creating conditions that heighten the risk of accidents.
Traffic-calming measures such as flashing lights, speed bumps, or pedestrian signals are some of the tools other districts have successfully implemented to increase safety, and advocates believe San Marcos should consider similar solutions.
As the investigation continues and the community mourns, the hope remains that these calls for action will bring about meaningful changes, potentially saving lives in the future.
