The family of Gerardo “Tuto” Bueno wants a crosswalk at Western Avenue and Bosquez Street after he was struck and killed while crossing the street Oct. 16.
ROBSTOWN, Texas — The family of a 59-year-old Robstown man killed while crossing the street is calling for changes at the intersection where he was struck, hoping to prevent another family from experiencing the same loss.
Gerardo “Tuto” Bueno was crossing Western Avenue on his way to a convenience store on the night of Oct. 16 when police say he was struck by a car and killed at the scene.
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Bueno’s family and friends remember him as a social, well-known member of the community who enjoyed visiting people around town.
His sister, Laura Hernandez, said Bueno was known for his personality and the way he got around in his wheelchair.
“He was well known. He was a good guy. He was funny and he would go on his wheelchair really fast and like kicking it back,” Hernandez said.
His daughter, Jessica Sandoval, said her father enjoyed visiting people and was recognized throughout the community.
“He was very social. He liked to go visit people all the freaking time,” Sandoval said. “Everybody knew Tuto. Everybody knew Tuto. Whether he was walking or in his chair, however it was, everybody knew Tuto.”
Family wants crosswalk at intersection
The crash happened at the intersection of Western Avenue and Bosquez Street, where there is no crosswalk.
Bueno’s family says the lack of a designated crossing is a concern for people who regularly cross the roadway.
“They want to say he wasn’t using a crosswalk, but there’s none!” Hernandez said. “He was crossing the street right here in front of his friend’s house to go across the street to go to the store.”
JoAnn Gonzales, a friend of Bueno’s who lives across from the intersection, said she fears another person could be struck while crossing the street.
“It’s gonna happen again because there’s no crosswalks, there’s no crosswalks,” Gonzales said.
Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez said installing a crosswalk would require coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation, which oversees the roadway.
Tamez also said a records search found no other fatal crashes in the area. He cautioned, however, that having a crosswalk would not necessarily determine responsibility in a crash.
“I can’t just order them to put crosswalks in without, you know, having to get with TxDOT, and TxDOT has to do it because it’s their roadway,” Tamez said.
He also explained that pedestrians must cross at a point where approaching drivers have enough time to react and stop.
“Even if you’re at a crosswalk, you are not allowed to walk at a point that does not give an oncoming vehicle enough time to brake, right, or slow down to prevent an accident,” Tamez said.
Police chief says driver was not speeding
Following the crash, some people questioned whether the driver was speeding or responsible for Bueno’s death.
Tamez disputed claims that the driver was speeding, saying the driver did not see Bueno until shortly before the collision.
“Some folks were blaming the driver and saying he was speeding, and I can tell you right now he was not,” Tamez said. “Speaking with him the night that it happened, he saw nothing. I mean, not till very, very last minute.”
Tamez said a crosswalk would not necessarily have changed the outcome of the investigation.
Family determined to push for change
Bueno’s family says it wants accountability for his death and changes that could help prevent another tragedy.
Sandoval said her father was determined to find a way to accomplish something, even while living with paralysis.
“Even though he was, like I said, half paralyzed, he would figure it out,” Sandoval said. “So I know, like he always says, but there’s a will, there’s a way, and there’s always a will.”
When asked whether the family was applying that same determination to its efforts following his death, Sandoval said it was.
“Yes, yes, we are,” she said.
The family hopes its push for change will help make the intersection safer for people who regularly cross Western Avenue.
If you would like to help the Bueno family with funeral expenses you can visit their GoFundMe page.