Parents and residents urge Amarillo leaders to slow traffic, reduce lanes at West Plains High intersection after student near‑fatal crash

Several residents used the meeting’s public comment period to press the council for immediate action at the Loop 335 and Ardán intersection in front of West Plains High School after a near‑fatal crash involving a 15‑year‑old student.

Chris Pitman said the city recently adopted a Safe Streets for All ordinance and asked council to direct staff to reduce lanes and lower speed limits at the intersection to prevent future tragedies. “We need to reduce the number of lanes in each direction from two to one,” Pitman said, adding that moving cones and signage 10 feet would reduce the crossing distance for students.

Chad Low, a parent who said he was stationed with the injured student at the hospital, described the initial diagnosis as dire and urged officials to prioritize safety: “We got to put something in there that allows them to push a button…so these kids can get across safely,” he said. Low told the council he had spoken with Jason Britch (TxDOT contact) who said a final decision about a signal was under study but offered no timetable.

Council members pressed staff on jurisdictional issues, enforcement and short‑term solutions. Staff said Potter County and TxDOT have been engaged; council discussed validating temporary measures (cone shifts, signage) versus permanent infrastructure such as a signal or lane reconfiguration. Several councilmembers favored working with county and state partners and pursuing options that would not unduly disrupt downtown circulation.

The council did not take an immediate vote; staff was directed to continue coordinating with TxDOT and the county and return with options and timelines for both temporary mitigations and more permanent traffic control measures.