Crash victims' families call for safety improvements in South Boston streets

It's been five years since Billy McDermott was struck and killed while crossing the street in South Boston on a rainy February night.

His son, Liam, told Boston 25 News he still can't get himself to open the evidence bag given to him by police.

"It’s the scaly cap he was wearing on his head, his cell phone, his ID and his shoes that were thrown 90 feet from him in the intersection," said Liam. "My dad was hit by a Range Rover, went up over the hood, went airborne over the parked cars, hit the stop sign, bent the stop sign and landed there and died."

The place where Liam's father was hit, L Street and Day Boulevard, is the same area where two-car crash sent one vehicle up on the sidewalk, fatally striking a 2-year-old boy in late July. Liam has been pushing for better safety measures in the area since his father's accident.

A solar light has been installed to illuminate the crosswalk as well as physical improvements to infrastructure.

"Five years should be enough time for something to happen," said Liam.

State senator Nick Collins says he knew Billy McDermott and lives just a half-block away from where 2-year-old Colin McGrath was hit and killed.

"It reinforces the need to move faster and get these things done," said Sen. Collins.

Collins says he's been working on road improvements for years now and that it's very likely that Day Boulevard will shrink down to one lane on each side only. Improvements are also being made to the outdated flashing lights and confusing red and yellow pedestrian lights.

"We think that's gonna have a big impact on speeding control of traffic and traffic patterns," said Sen. Collins.

Collins adds he's been frustrated by the pace in getting the funding and plans approved, but changes are just weeks and months away.

"It's long overdue and we're working to get it implemented with the administration as soon as possible," said Sen. Collins.

Cox Media Group