Worcester Pedestrian Hit Just Before Councilor Delayed Pedestrian Safety Action Item

WORCESTER, MA — A pickup truck driver hit and seriously injured a 54-year-old man Tuesday night in Worcester — about three hours before city councilors debated declaring a public health emergency over recent pedestrian deaths and injuries in the city.

According to Worcester police, the pedestrian suffered a serious head injury just before 6 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Park Avenue and Pleasant Street. The cause of the crash was still under investigation Wednesday morning, and police said the pickup truck driver stayed at the scene.

The victim was still hospitalized as of Wednesday morning, police said.

District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj had an item on Tuesday's agenda seeking a public health emergency declaration for vulnerable road users. The item came after serious collisions in recent weeks: a toddler who suffered critical injuries after a driver hit her on June 25 along Lincoln Street; and two days later, the death of Gianna Rose Simoncini, 13, who died while crossing a dangerous section of Belmont Street.

"Request City Manager declare a public health and safety emergency for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, people on wheelchairs) in light of the two (2) pedestrian crashes that killed a child and severely injured another less than one (1) week apart," the order said.

At-Large Councilor Moe Bergman pushed back on the declaration, saying he wanted drivers included in it. Bergman also said he was concerned about the legal ramifications of the declaration, and asked the city attorney's office for a formal opinion.

Bergman said the declaration may not do anything about a problem at includes road safety and police patrols, not just public health.

"All of our hearts have to go out to children who are killed," he said. "I just question whether or not the city of Worcester is making that declaration in its best interest?"

Bergman held the item, which means no action will be taken until the next council meeting. Bergman also recently led the effort to undo the recent redesign of Mill Street, which includes the city's first protected bike lane.