A Community Win for Safer Streets in Historic South Central
On April 18, 2024, tragedy struck Historic South Central when 12-year-old Derrick Serrano was hit and killed by a speeding driver at the intersection of Vernon Avenue and Wadsworth Avenue. His loss devastated his family and community and galvanized neighbors into action.
Over the past year, SAFE has partnered with ACCE LA, a grassroots community organization, to demand change at this dangerous intersection and bring awareness to the need for safer intersections across South LA. Together, we organized families and insisted that the city act before another life was lost.
An example of this outspoken advocacy was on April 18th, 2025, the anniversary of Derrick being struck and killed by a speeding driver, SAFE joined ACCE in a loud protest and media event at Vernon and Wadsworth. Several media outlets covered this event, with a clear demand for a stoplight to protect the children walking to school.
This summer, after advocacy, Councilmember Curren Price announced and approved funding for a long-awaited and much-needed traffic signal at Vernon and Wadsworth. While no signal can undo the heartbreak of losing Derrick, this step marks an important victory for his family, classmates, and the broader South Central community. We thank the councilmember for making this important step forward in the name of safety.
SAFE and ACCE LA will continue working alongside residents to ensure this project is completed swiftly and to keep pushing for safer streets across Los Angeles. Over 300 pedestrians across Los Angeles are hit and killed every year. That is unsustainable and can not be accepted any long. No parent should fear that their child won’t make it home from school.
