NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — It's been a record-breaking year for pedestrian deaths in Nashville. Walk Bike Nashville calling it the deadliest year for walkers in history.
It was just three days after the start of the 2020 new year, life for the Urbach family changed forever.
The intersection of Gallatin Pike and Ardee Avenue was where Chance Urbach's father, Kenneth Urbach, was struck and killed by a car while crossing the street.
Ever since Kenneth's death, Nashville has seen a record-breaking year for pedestrian deaths.
"To us, January was yesterday and to think that 30-something other families all going through the same thing and that little stretch of time, it shocked all of us," said Urbach.
The city has already surpassed 38 deaths of people being hit by cars just walking the streets. This up from 32 deaths in 2019.
This is why organizations like Walk Bike Nashville is working hard to raise awareness.
When you drive down roads like Gallatin, Dickerson and Murfreesboro, you will see memorial markers.
"As people learn what exactly those shoes on the pole mean they might pay a little closer attention to pedestrians every time they drive by one of those spots," said Urbach.
Walk Bike Nashville plans to put up a memorial markers in areas where pedestrians were struck killed.
One memorial marks the place Kenneth Urbach took his last breath. His son hopes this will be more than a symbol but a deterrent for distracted drivers.
"Put your phone down, do the speed limit, pay attention to what’s in front of you and people’s families can be happy for the holidays and not dealing with catastrophe," Urbach said.
Walk Bike Nashville is running the Look for Me campaign, which includes radio ads and billboards, to encourage drivers to take additional steps to be careful.
