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Public outcry after fatal crash in Lakewood; residents press council for immediate street‑safety fixes
Summary
Following the death of resident Bill Saphos at Madison and Hilliard, dozens of residents told Lakewood council on Dec. 16 that the intersection is dangerously designed and urged immediate action — from tactical, low‑cost changes to passage of a Complete Streets ordinance and creation of a crash review team.
Lakewood residents packed the Dec. 16 council meeting to speak about the death of neighbor Bill Saphos, who was struck while walking in a crosswalk at the Madison/Hilliard intersection. Council opened the meeting with a moment of silence and then set aside time for public comment; more than a dozen speakers described the intersection—s hazards and called for both immediate tactical measures and longer‑term policy changes.
Speakers who identified themselves and their affiliations included Tom Benko (resident), Dr. Rebecca Miller (mental health clinician and governor‑appointed regulator), Lucinda Cave (resident and daily cyclist), Emily Lindbergh (resident/activist), Jenna Thomas (policy & advocacy manager, Bike Cleveland), Dan Zielinski (neighbor), Robert and Cassandra Orkin (residents), Josh Matour (resident) and others. Common themes and specific claims: - Known dangerous intersection: Multiple speakers noted Madison/Hilliard is identified in Lakewood—s active transportation plan as a high‑crash location and called it one of the city—s most dangerous intersections, particularly because of its length (one speaker called the crosswalk 120 feet long) and confusing signal geometry. - Speeds and outcomes: Speakers cited estimated speeds (one commenter estimated the striking vehicle reached about 47 mph) and argued the crash was not an "accident" but the foreseeable result of design choices that permit high speeds and long crosswalks. - Immediate, low‑cost fixes urged: Public commenters requested tactical measures that can be implemented quickly — curb extensions (bulb‑outs), flex posts, removable speed tables, additional signals at unsignaled crossings, centerline narrowing, protected bike lanes and planters to narrow lanes and reduce speeds. Several asked the council to adopt a Complete Streets ordinance immediately and to implement recommendations from the city—s active transportation plan at priority intersections.
Council response: Council President Keppel, Vice President Baker and other council members expressed condolences, acknowledged the public—s grief and committed to continuing work on the city—s Complete Streets/active transportation priorities. Council members said they would pursue both near‑term tactical projects that do not require curb work and longer‑term planning and funding for systemic changes. Vice President Baker and others indicated they would work with the administration to identify quick implementation projects that do not require moving curbs, and some members signaled interest in bringing amendments to the 2025 budget to fund intersection safety work.
Administration response: City staff noted the active transportation plan is a priority and that some projects (Bunce Road) are budgeted; they also said the city would pursue grant funding and expected to return to Planning Commission and the public for the waterfront and other park plans. Several speakers asked that the city assemble a crash‑analysis team to study this and prior incidents and to provide immediate actionable recommendations for redesigns and quick builds.
What happens next: Council and administration said they will continue the conversation and explore quick tactical measures and funding amendments; public commenters urged that the city not delay, citing repeated prior warnings in the active transportation stakeholder process and urging immediate, visible action to reduce the risk of more deaths.
