97th Traffic Fatality in Sacramento County This Year

The Sacramento County coroner has identified Ricky Rey Reyes, Jr., the 19-year-old victim of a tragic incident where an alleged drunk driver collided with him at a bus stop located at Del Paso and El Centro roads in North Natomas. Reyes, a dedicated young man serving at the Sacramento National Guard Base, had been at the bus stop following a tour of a local trade school as per an online fundraiser that featured his photos. The community mourns his loss, with James Thomas, a fellow bus line passenger, expressing deep sadness and reflection on the lost potential. Sacramento County's motor vehicle fatality tally is nearing 100 for the year, with Reyes' unfortunate passing marking the 97th death. In response to these alarming statistics, initiatives such as 'Slow Down Sacramento,' led by founder Isaac Gonzalez, aim to raise awareness about traffic safety and address the systemic nature of road accidents. The City of Sacramento is taking steps to enhance safety on dangerous road sections, with the recent approval of a 'vision zero' project along Broadway between Stockton Blvd. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Plans include lane reductions for vehicles and the addition of protected bike lanes to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety. The Public Works Department is also proactively examining deadly crash sites for necessary environmental changes. Reyes, who was also an employee at Corti Brothers deli in east Sacramento, was just eight days away from his 20th birthday. Though the city council had previously contemplated declaring pedestrian deaths a state of emergency, the declaration was not pursued in the end.