Street where couple was killed used as 'freeway' by motorists, says daughter
“This road is used as a freeway, and it shouldn’t be": Ashley Avila who is mourning her parents Voldemar and Fatima
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They came to quietly remember Valdemar and Fatima Avila who were struck in their vehicle and killed at a High Park-area intersection a year ago.
The couple was killed at Parkside Dr. and Spring Rd. after a multi-vehicle crash at that intersection on Oct. 12, 2021.
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Their daughter Ashley visited the spot that is an endless source of pain for her family.
“This road (Parkside) is used as a freeway, and it shouldn’t be. It should be a residential road. It is adjacent to High Park and something needs to be done,” Ashley told friend, relatives, and locals who gathered for a memorial Sunday.
Her parents, Valdemar, 71, and Fatima, 69, died in the five-vehicle crash that happened while they were waiting at a red light.
Police charged a driver who was allegedly speeding with two counts of criminal negligence causing death.
“My parents’ deaths hasn’t sparked real change yet. It’s concerning, and I want to see real change done to Parkside Dr.,” Ashley said.
A local group — Safe Parkside — has been advocating for a speed reduction, the addition of sidewalks along the west side of their street, speed bumps, and bike lanes.
The Avilas and residents placed bouquets of flowers and candles on a hydro pole on which a photo of her parents is taped.
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Recent data shows automated speed cameras installed along Parkside issued the most tickets in July.
City-wide, the devices issued 18,825 tickets that month. The device along Parkside, south of Algonquin Ave., issued 1,937 tickets – or approximately 10% of all automated tickets.
The Avilas and Safe Parkside want more done.
“Speed cameras is an insult to my parents’ deaths,” said Ashley Avila. “The city is using the speed cameras as a revenue stream. My parents are not a revenue stream. Their lives are not a revenue stream.”
It was only after the Avilas died that the speed limit on the street was lowered to 40 km/h.
The last city council approved a motion — put forward by Councillor Gordon Perks — to improve safety along the street.
But not all elements of his motion are in place.
At Sunday’s memorial, Perks said “people absolutely should be angry and demanding more. I’m angry. I want more.”
He said the number of speeding tickets issued on the street is starting to go down, there is a preliminary design to narrow the road with bike lanes, and new traffic lights have been installed.
Ashley Avila – through tears Sunday – was urging quicker action, to save more lives from being lost to preventable tragedy.
slaurie@postmedia.com
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