SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- It's known as one of the busiest, most congested streets in Santa Barbara, Milpas Street. Just within the last year, it's become a major accident zone.
"It's a high traffic area, foot traffic, it's very important, there's been a couple deaths already we don't need another one," says Sebastian Aldana Jr., Vice President of the Milpas Community Association.
On Saturday night a 26-year-old woman was struck and killed by three cars on Highway 101 near the Milpas Street off ramp. This deadly accident comes as the city of Santa Barbara has already begun working to improve safety conditions near Milpas Street. Last week, the city already repaved and restripped the streets.
"There going to put a bike lane here in the next few weeks, those flashing beacons will be installed. The City Council has put the east side neighborhood a number one priority for public safety," says Aldana Jr.
If we jump back less than a month ago, a bicyclist was hit by a car after she failed to use a cross walk at Milpas Street. Then last October, 15-year-old Sergio Romero was hit and killed by a truck on the corner of Milpas and Ortega Streets.
"Cars zoom by, you know, you got to make sure no cars are coming by, you can't take a chance just crossing," says Armando Barreto, a Santa Barbara resident.
It's that very reason why the city is now taking action.
"I'm positive you will be seeing changes here in the future," says Aldana Jr.
As of Sunday evening, the deadly crash is still under investigation and the name of the pedestrian killed as not been released.
