City of Tulsa traffic engineers find improvements unnecessary after child's death at intersection

TULSA - The city of Tulsa has decided against making any changes at a north Tulsa intersection following the death of a 7-year-old boy.

In October, Tulsa boy Elijah Rivers was fatally hit by a car at North Harvard Avenue and East Virgin Street.

City of Tulsa traffic engineers have since studied the area and say they have combed over the collision report, but have concluded that no extra safety steps are necessary.

"I just don't think there's anything we could improve out there that would keep and prevent this from happening again," said Mark Brown, city of Tulsa traffic engineer manager.

Neighbors tell 2NEWS they're outraged.

"It's very difficult to grasp," said Myron Washington, who lives at the intersection and was first on the scene. I'm still in shock because I think there could be a lot more done."

Washington believes engineers can add more street lights and signs for pedestrians to cross.

"It doesn't have to be anything grand or anything big and flashy. I think we can do some simple things to help prevent another occurrence like this," he said. "I would rather pay for putting up another sign rather than another funeral."

But Brown says the area -- which has street lights, a sidewalk and a crosswalk that activates a stop light -- is safe despite the tragic accident.

Neighbors say they plan to meet this weekend to talk about the report.