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<\/p>\nThe family of Gerardo \u201cTuto\u201d Bueno wants a crosswalk at Western Avenue and Bosquez Street after he was struck and killed while crossing the street Oct. 16.<\/p>\n
ROBSTOWN, Texas \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
Gerardo \u201cTuto\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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This story continues below.<\/p>\n
Bueno’s family and friends remember him as a social, well-known member of the community who enjoyed visiting people around town.<\/p>\n
His sister, Laura Hernandez, said Bueno was known for his personality and the way he got around in his wheelchair.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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,\u201d Hernandez said.<\/p>\n
His daughter, Jessica Sandoval, said her father enjoyed visiting people and was recognized throughout the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was very social. He liked to go visit people all the freaking time,\u201d Sandoval said. \u201cEverybody knew Tuto. Everybody knew Tuto. Whether he was walking or in his chair, however it was, everybody knew Tuto.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nFamily wants crosswalk at intersection <\/p>\n
The crash happened at the intersection of Western Avenue and Bosquez Street, where there is no crosswalk.<\/p>\n
Bueno’s family says the lack of a designated crossing is a concern for people who regularly cross the roadway.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want to say he wasn\u2019t using a crosswalk, but there\u2019s none!\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cHe was crossing the street right here in front of his friend\u2019s house to go across the street to go to the store.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s gonna happen again because there’s no crosswalks, there’s no crosswalks,\u201d Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez said installing a crosswalk would require coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation, which oversees the roadway.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Tamez said.<\/p>\n
He also explained that pedestrians must cross at a point where approaching drivers have enough time to react and stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven 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,\u201d Tamez said.<\/p>\n
\nPolice chief says driver was not speeding <\/p>\n
Following the crash, some people questioned whether the driver was speeding or responsible for Bueno’s death.<\/p>\n
Tamez disputed claims that the driver was speeding, saying the driver did not see Bueno until shortly before the collision.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome folks were blaming the driver and saying he was speeding, and I can tell you right now he was not,\u201d Tamez said. \u201cSpeaking with him the night that it happened, he saw nothing. I mean, not till very, very last minute.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tamez said a crosswalk would not necessarily have changed the outcome of the investigation.<\/p>\n
\nFamily determined to push for change <\/p>\n
Bueno’s family says it wants accountability for his death and changes that could help prevent another tragedy.<\/p>\n
Sandoval said her father was determined to find a way to accomplish something, even while living with paralysis.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though he was, like I said, half paralyzed, he would figure it out,\u201d Sandoval said. \u201cSo I know, like he always says, but there’s a will, there’s a way, and there’s always a will.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether the family was applying that same determination to its efforts following his death, Sandoval said it was.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, yes, we are,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The family hopes its push for change will help make the intersection safer for people who regularly cross Western Avenue.<\/p>\n