Mocobizscene- In Miami, a group of mothers came together to pay tribute to a fellow mom who tragically lost her life in a fatal accident involving a truck near downtown Miami. The community gathered to remember and honor her.
A memorial on Biscayne Boulevard and 22nd Street stands as a tribute to Jaklin Sabag, a mother who tragically lost her life while walking with her 8-month-old baby in a stroller, when a truck struck her.
“I can’t stop thinking about the baby. It’s constantly on my mind,” confessed Laura Espejo, a member of the Mothers of Margaret Pace Park group.
Mothers from the Edgewater neighborhood came together to pay tribute to Sabag by placing flowers and lighting candles. Sabag, a mother of three, tragically lost her life just a few blocks away from her residence.
Her baby boy is currently still in the hospital.
“It was a truly heart-wrenching experience for all of us who witnessed the tragedy. We couldn’t help but feel that it could have easily been any one of us. This particular street is known for its bustling activity, especially during this time. It’s evident by the constant flow of people. The incident left a deep impact on the entire group. We are grateful to be able to gather today and honor her memory,” expressed Alexandra Paz, a member of the mothers’ group at Margaret Pace Park.
According to the Miami Police Department, Sabag was not using the crosswalk while walking.
According to Michael Vega, the Miami Police Department Public Information Officer, upon reviewing the footage, it became evident that she had violated the crossing rules. Instead of using the designated pedestrian crosswalk, she chose to walk between two cars. As a result, she found herself directly under the truck, making it impossible for the driver to see her.
According to Miami police, occurrences like this are more common than one might assume.
In 2023, the traffic homicide unit dealt with a total of 65 cases involving pedestrians being involved in crashes, out of which 28 resulted in fatalities. Jaywalking is not considered illegal in Florida, however, if caught, you may receive a citation and be required to pay a fine.
“We’ve implemented pedestrian lights and flashing lights in specific areas of Miami to ensure pedestrian safety,” explained Vega. “It’s crucial that we follow these signals and remain mindful of pedestrians crossing the intersection. As drivers, we must always yield the right of way to pedestrians.”
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian deaths in the United States have reached their highest levels in over 40 years.
Arizona and Florida have been ranked as the top states with high rates, according to the report.
Also Read:
- DC man punched and strangled 72-year-old woman and threatened her with knife
- Man Convicted of Drug and Weapon Trafficking for Selling Large Quantities of Fentanyl in Virginia Receives Sentence
