John Fonfara

Hartford Leaders Call for Safer Streets with Red Light Camera Bill

Senator Fonfara & Mayor Segarra say cameras would help prevent tragic traffic deaths, other accidents

Today, Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) and Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra joined officials from Hartford Hospital outdoors at an intersection where multiple hospital employees have been struck by cars and killed in recent years.

The group called for new state legislation that would permit cities like Hartford to install red light traffic cameras to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“I am grateful for the support of Governor Malloy on this important issue, and that both he and Mayor Segarra understand the need to use technology where we aren’t able to fight crime in traditional ways,” said Senator Fonfara. “This is one more tool to make our community safer.”

“In 2010, two families of Hartford Hospital employees grieved the loss of loved ones at the hands of motorists who disregarded the law and took lives in the process,” said Mayor Segarra. “For me, red light camera legislation is not about fining violators—it’s about implementing a measure that could potentially save lives.”

According to the Federal Highway Commission, red-light running kills 1,000 people and injures 165,000 a year nationally at a cost of $230 billion. Over the last 20 years, on average, more than 5,000 pedestrians were killed across the United States in motor vehicle-related accidents.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 23 states and Washington, D.C. had red light camera systems in place as of February 2011.

The participants in today’s press conference called for the General Assembly to pass a bill proposed by Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven), which would permit municipalities with a population greater than 60,000 to pass local ordinances to install red light cameras at designated intersections.

On March 27, 2010, Robert Suljoti of Wethersfield was about to begin his first day of work at Hartford Hospital as an employee in the hospital’s environmental services unit. He had already completed a week’s worth of training, and was walking in to begin his first official day of work.

Around 6 AM, he attempted to cross Retreat Avenue—Hartford Hospital lies just on the other side—when he was struck and killed by an oncoming car. The hit-and-run driver then fled the scene, and his car was found crashed on Maxim Road. Marcus Hodge pleaded guilty to the crime last October, and faces up to 15 years in prison.

Only months later, two more traffic accidents occurred on the same road. First, a patient was struck by a car while crossing the street in a wheelchair. Then a second Hartford Hospital employee, Sandra Hoyle, was killed when a speeding vehicle struck her car.

A police investigation found that the driver, Hector Rodriguez, was speeding westbound on Retreat Avenue and ran a red light before crashing into Hoyle’s car at the intersection of Retreat Avenue and Seymour Street, the location of today’s press conference.

“We’ve lost people who meant a great deal to us. And we owe it to their memories to make Retreat Avenue a safer place,” said Jeff Flaks, Hartford Hospital President and CEO. “Safety is one of our core values. All Hartford Hospital employees deserve and expect a safe environment. More than a year ago, we began efforts to slow down traffic on Retreat Avenue. We are thankful to the City of Hartford and Mayor Segarra for helping us in our efforts to modify the street and make it safer for everyone.”

“This red light camera initiative is really important for all of our communities. Some people drive really crazy; they don’t respect the law, and put others in harm’s way. Camera will help encourage respect for the traffic laws, which are there to protect all of us,” said Julio Mendoza, Executive Director of the Spanish American Merchants Association.

Also present at today’s press conference was Angel Arce, son of Angel Arce Torres, who was killed in hit and run incident on Park Street in 2008. A security camera on Park Street happened to record the incident, which lead to the arrest of the driver, Luis Negron, who was eventually sentenced to 10 years in prison.

“Red light cameras will help to stop traffic violations and save lives. It is because of cameras that police were able to find the man who killed my father. Although it took them longer to find all the evidence needed for trial, they were able to at least identify the perpetrator within two weeks,” said Angel Arce.