COLUMBUS, Ohio — Many people in a northeast Columbus neighborhood are in the Halloween spirit, with pumpkins and decorations set up to mark the festivities.
However, for those who spent the holiday in the neighborhood two years ago, a tragedy haunts trick-or-treat night.
On Halloween 2022, 4-year-old Catherine Rodriguez was crossing Westerville Road, to go home after trick or treat when police say a driver did not stop and hit the young girl in the crosswalk.
She died at the hospital.
“I remember the noise the crash because that is how close I am to it,” said Angela Gunn, who was passing out candy a few houses down.
Two months after the crash, the Columbus Division of Police issued a warrant for the driver, Lazaro Becerra. He was charged with misdemeanors including aggravated vehicular homicide and failure to yield for a pedestrian.
There has been no movement in the case since December 2022.
CPD has entered the warrant into a national database, which will lead to Becerra’s arrest if he has any interaction with law enforcement across the country.
City Attorney Zach Klein said he stands ready to prosecute the case.
He said in a statement, “I understand and share in the frustration felt by the family and all those affected as the individual responsible for this tragedy remains on the run from authorities. The moment the defendant is captured, my office stands ready to pursue his prosecution aggressively. I have instructed prosecutors to push for harsh penalties, including significant jail time, for the harm he has inflicted upon this family who lost their child in the most senseless way.”
Gunn said the crosswalk, where Rodriguez was killed, continues to be a concern for neighbors. She and others are calling for a stoplight at the intersection of Westerville Road and Valley Park Avenue.
“I hope it doesn’t have to be another accident before they decide to do something right now, they really should do something because I am watching every day and I am scared for my grandchildren,” she said. “I really am, I am scared for all the children for that matter but mine cross that stop every day and every time I have to sit out there and make sure both sides of the street stop because if one stops the other might not.”
The City of Columbus resurfaced the intersection but there are no plans to put in a stoplight.
“The width of the roadway’s travel lanes was also narrowed where space allowed. Visually narrowing a roadway helps to reduce driver speeds,” said a spokesperson for the city.
The city is working on a sports park on Westerville Rd., down the road from the crosswalk and is planning a roundabout at that entrance, which the city says will help to slow speeds.