Chicago Plans Safety Upgrades on Ashland Avenue Following Fatal Hit-and-Run

A year after a hit-and-run driver fatally struck Marcela Herrera in Chicago’s Pilsen neighbourhood, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced plans to implement significant safety improvements along a three-block stretch of Ashland Avenue. The announcement comes after a year-long campaign by Herrera’s family, friends, and community members demanding action to prevent further traffic violence.

Marcela Herrera, 22, was killed on July 19, 2025, when she was struck by a silver Jeep while crossing Ashland Avenue at Cullerton Street. Her fiancé, Mauricio Leyva, 21, was also seriously injured in the incident. The investigation into the hit-and-run remains open with no new developments.

Community Outcry and Demand for Action

The anniversary of Herrera’s death was marked by a march in Pilsen’s Dvorak Park, where organizers highlighted her story and those of other victims of traffic violence. “Justice for Marcela looks like youth, hood guys, servers, artists, bartenders, mamas y papas, healers, elders, Pilsen natives and community collectives stepping up when others didn’t,” said Diego Garcia, an organizer. “It’s a demand and not an ask. We demand street safety infrastructure. We demand an Ashland Avenue made for pedestrians. We demand that undocumented women get to live long, happy lives. We demand that Chicago’s youth can live without the fear of dying.”

The marchers proceeded to the intersection of Ashland Avenue and Cullerton Street, the site of Herrera’s death, where they formed a circle, held a ceremony, and paid tribute to her. The event underscored the community’s persistent call for safer streets and accountability.

Planned Safety Enhancements

CDOT’s Complete Streets team presented plans for safety upgrades on Ashland Avenue between Cullerton Avenue and 18th Street. These improvements aim to create a safer environment for pedestrians, particularly in an area with significant foot traffic and proximity to schools.

The planned interventions include:
* A new pedestrian island at the intersection of Ashland Avenue and Cullerton Street, where Herrera was killed. This will provide a safe refuge for pedestrians crossing the busy street.
* A concrete curb bump-out on the southeast corner of Cullerton/Ashland.
* Additional concrete bump-outs to daylight corners on 19th Street and 18th Place, improving visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
* Temporary paint-and-post bump-outs at three corners of the 19th Street intersection and two corners of 18th Place. These “Rapid Delivery Improvements” are intended to be replaced with concrete infrastructure next year.

These safety improvements will be funded through aldermanic menu money, a discretionary fund allocated to local city council members. CDOT has not yet confirmed a specific completion date for the 2026 installations but expressed a hope to finish them before the local schools resume.

Local Representative’s Support

Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), whose ward includes the affected area, has been a vocal advocate for these safety measures. “The tragedy of Marcela, and others of course, is a call for action for all of us, especially intersections where children and families are crossing,” Sigcho-Lopez stated. The designs for the safety improvements were developed following a traffic study initiated at his request after Herrera’s death, which involved extensive consultation with nearby schools.

Parents from Saint Pius V School have expressed concerns about the safety of their children crossing Ashland Avenue. “I can’t tell you how many times I have almost probably dislocated (my daughter’s) wrist trying to run across Ashland to get across to school,” shared one parent during a community meeting. “As you know toddlers are very tiny, they can’t walk fast.”

Limitations of the Project Scope

While the planned improvements address a critical section of Ashland Avenue, they do not extend south of Cullerton Street. This includes the complex five-way intersection at Cermak Road and Blue Island Avenue, adjacent to Benito Juarez High School. In May 2025, a pedestrian was fatally struck at this intersection by a semi-driver who reportedly disobeyed a signal. CDOT cited budget limitations as the reason for not extending the project further south, noting that while arterial resurfacing funds could cover a longer stretch, the associated federal funding would have delayed the project timeline.

Community Organizers’ Continued Advocacy

Organizers of the March for Marcela are continuing their advocacy by circulating a Change.org petition. The petition urges Alderman Sigcho-Lopez and CDOT to ensure the timely construction of the pedestrian refuge island at the site of Marcela Herrera’s death. The petition aims to maintain public pressure and ensure the committed safety measures are implemented effectively.

The incident and the subsequent community response highlight the ongoing challenges of ensuring pedestrian safety in urban environments and the critical role of community advocacy in driving infrastructure improvements.

Key facts
| Feature | Detail |
|—|—|
| Incident Date | July 19, 2025 |
| Victim | Marcela Herrera, 22 |
| Location | Ashland Avenue and Cullerton Street, Pilsen, Chicago |
| Planned Improvements | Pedestrian island, curb bump-outs, daylighting corners |
| Funding | Aldermanic menu money |
| Responsible Agency | Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) |

Source: Streetsblog Chicago (https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/07/14/a-year-after-a-hit-and-run-driver-killed-marcela-herrera-in-pilsen-three-blocks-of-ashland-will-get-safety-improvements)

Datos clave