Two pedestrian fatalities puts spotlight on Wilmington’s Vision Zero plan

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — As one of the final and busiest weekends of summer came to a close, pedestrian safety is once again a focus in Wilmington following two separate incidents that left pedestrians dead.

Wilmington police are investigating two pedestrian deaths that occurred within a span of just a few days.

Just before 11 p.m. Friday, 33-year-old Xavier Richardson was hit and killed by an SUV in the 3500 block of Market Street.

Early Sunday morning, a 58-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run involving a truck along South 17th Street. Police continue to investigate both incidents.

The deaths come nearly one year after the city of Wilmington adopted Vision Zero, a plan aimed at eliminating all traffic deaths and severe injuries by 2036.

The initiative includes efforts to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist crashes and fatalities through infrastructure improvements, traffic calming and data-driven safety projects.

Former Wilmington City Councilmember Luke Waddell supported the proposal but questioned whether some improvements — such as new walkways and speed bumps — could be completed without creating a new program and adding staff positions.

“I’m certainly supportive of the idea, I don’t want to run headlong into it. Is what I’m hearing from staff that we can’t do that without creating this new initiative and adding a bunch of new positions?” Waddell said.

Former Councilmember Charlie Rivenbark, who was the lone council vote against the Vision Zero program, said reaching the goal of zero traffic deaths would require significant changes.

Rivenbark also raised concerns about the growing popularity of electric bicycles and their use on sidewalks, trails and roadways.

“They’re motorized vehicles on our crosscity trail and the sidewalks. They don’t make any noise and now they’re out in the street, in our Oleander Drive, with no helmet, no insurance, no tag, nothing,” Rivenbark said.

The city already has several projects that support the goals of Vision Zero, including the Greenville Loop and Masonboro Loop trails, the completed Fifth Avenue bike lane and sidewalk, and a proposed downtown trail.

Traffic-calming projects along Charter Drive, Carl Street and Burnett Boulevard are also expected to contribute to the city’s efforts to improve safety.

Those projects are expected to be completed by October. The city then plans to begin collecting data to evaluate their effectiveness and determine where additional improvements may be needed.

With two pedestrian deaths now under investigation, city officials and residents continue to face the challenge at the heart of Vision Zero: finding ways to make Wilmington’s roads safer for everyone who uses them.