GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Friday morning, the family of a young boy who was hit and killed by a car joined Gainesville city leaders to unveil a street named in memory of the child.
It was two years to the day from when 4-year-old Dylan Roberts left the earth. On Oct. 27, 2021, a driver hit and killed Dylan as he attempted to cross East University Avenue.
The accident raised concerns for residents in the community, highlighting the need for safer roads in East Gainesville. Since then, Megan Durant, Dylan’s mom, has been an advocate for improved pedestrian safety methods. She worked with Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker to look for ways to improve pedestrian safety in the area which is near Fred Cone Park.
In September, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) installed an advanced crosswalk system with a pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) at the intersection where Dylan died.
On Friday, the Mayor Ward and Commissioner Duncan-Walker revealed a new street sign in Dylan’s honor… naming NE 26th Terrace “Dylan Roberts Road.”
For Durant, the moment came with mixed emotions.
“To see your child’s name on a street because of that reason, it’s bittersweet. It’s more of a yes, finally we did it. But, I would rather have him here of course,” said Durant. “Even though I can’t do anything about the past, I try to move on more positive. So, I just embrace the positive thing that we got going on today and that’s seeing his name. Making sure he’s never forgotten.”
Mayor Ward says the city’s work toward pedestrian safety is not over.
“Watch what we do next. This is not the end,” said Ward. “We have committed resources from federal government, from state government, from the City of Gainesville, people all over the community, to do better. To make this a road that works for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, children, grown people, and retired people, everybody in between.”
Durant says the journey leading up to this moment hasn’t always been easy.
“In the beginning it was hard of course – just learning how to have a voice during that grieving time… knowing that I had to have a voice for him,” expressed Durant. “It was hard, but I fought through it.”