A 73-year-old woman was tragically killed while crossing a major road in Bladensburg on October 18th, leaving her family and community in mourning. To honor her memory, a vigil was held on Wednesday.
Only a few feet away from the location where the incident occurred on Annapolis Road, there stands a sign that serves as a reminder for drivers to slow down. The victim, Jemilat Fatuga, was not only a grandmother but also a mother, sister, friend, and a much-loved resident of Bladensburg.
Town of Bladensburg Mayor, Takisha James, expressed her distress over the tragic loss of a person who lived a wonderful life, instilled values in their children and grandchildren, and extended family. She stated, “It made me sick to my stomach” to see such a person being struck down in such a tragic way.
According to the police, on the morning of October 18th, as Fatuga was attempting to cross Annapolis Road to catch the bus for work, an unknown individual struck and killed her. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene without stopping.
A call from a family friend later that day was the first time her son learned about what had happened. He had no prior knowledge of the situation.
According to Olatunji Liasu, his mother informed him that they had spotted someone lying on the ground who matched her description. Worried, he tried calling her, but to no avail.
“He said he fell down and started rolling on the floor, crying,” recounted the individual.
According to Liasu, the driver responsible for the incident could have made a significant difference if they had stayed on the scene. However, the police are still unable to provide any description of the vehicle involved.
He criticized the person’s actions, suggesting that if they had waited and taken appropriate measures, the situation may not have ended in tragedy. Instead of leaving the victim alone, he suggested they could have called 911, attempted to resuscitate her, or taken other measures to potentially save her life.
Family members and close friends expressed their admiration for Fatuga’s unwavering dedication towards providing for her loved ones in Nigeria and the United States. As of Wednesday, they took the opportunity to share their heartfelt sentiments towards her hard work.
“My mother was a very affectionate and nurturing person. I was known as a ‘mommy’s boy’ because of how close we were. I will deeply miss the way she used to offer me guidance and communicate with me,” shared her son.
Friends, family, members of the County and City Council, and the Bladensburg Police Department gathered together to hold a candlelight vigil in honor of the bright light that she brought into this world.
According to leaders, the recent incident has highlighted the pressing need for better pedestrian safety measures on busy roads such as 450 Annapolis and 202 Landover Roads. They are currently collaborating with the Maryland High Administration to come up with effective solutions to tackle this issue.
Council Member Jolene Ivey of Prince George’s County emphasized the importance of ensuring that the recent death is the last of its kind and that no one else has to endure the same suffering.
As a former council member for the Town of Bladensburg and one of the leaders pushing for change in the wake of the tragic incident, Jocelyn Route has a personal stake in this issue. The fact that a school is located just a few feet away from the site of the accident only underscores the urgency of the situation.
“We’re advocating for a lighted crosswalk in this area. We’ll be discussing with our Pepco partners about enhancing the lighting. Additionally, we’re aware of an upcoming bike lane project and we’re eager to ensure its protection,” stated a member of the Route, Prince George’s County Board of Education.
The family and law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist them in finding closure and justice.
Fatuga’s son passionately expressed his desire for justice, repeating the statement, “I want to see justice.” On Friday, the funeral of Fatuga will take place. Additionally, a virtual meeting called “Let’s Talk About Safe Passage” will be held by Route, focusing on pedestrian safety. The event is scheduled for November 14th at 6:30 p.m.
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