HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 26 2026 - Public Comment - Request for Immediate Traffic Safety Improvements Near Las Animas Elementary School - Marisa CupaCAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Marisa Cupa
Cc:Nisha Patel; Engineering Counter; Julie Oates; John Doughty; Mayor Greg Bozzo; Council Member Carol Marques;
Public Comments; Council Member Dion Bracco; Council Member Tom Cline; Council Member Terence Fugazzi;
Zach.Hilton@cityofgilroy.org; Council Member Kelly Ramirez; GlenLoma@helsing.com
Subject:EXTERNAL - Request for Immediate Traffic Safety Improvements Near Las Animas Elementary School
Date:Saturday, January 17, 2026 8:54:25 AM
Dear City of Gilroy and Glen Loma Ranch HOA Leaders,
I am writing as a deeply concerned resident regarding the tragic and heartbreaking accident
that occurred at the intersection of Charles Lux Drive and Lopez Way, near Las Animas
Elementary School and Cydney Casper Park.
This intersection sits in the heart of a large, family oriented community. It is an area with
constant pedestrian activity where parents and grandparents walk their children and
grandchildren to and from school, families with babies in strollers, people walking their dogs,
runners using the nearby trails, and neighbors out from early morning until late at night walks.
This neighborhood has always been known as a safe place to live, walk, and raise our children,
which makes this loss even more devastating.
The recent collision involving two pedestrians has shaken our community to its core. One life
was tragically lost at the scene, and another individual remains in critical condition, fighting
for their life. In an instant, a family was forever changed, and a teenager's life was altered
beyond measure all in our own backyard. This tragedy is especially painful because it
occurred in an area where families should feel protected and where children and families walk
daily. Many of us are struggling to process that something like this could happen here, and we
cannot accept the possibility of it ever happening again!
We are respectfully but urgently requesting that the City of Gilroy and the HOA of Glen Loma
Ranch take immediate action to improve safety at this location by:
Installing a four-way stop at the intersection of Charles Lux Drive and Lopez Way
Adding clearly marked crosswalks on all four sides of the intersection
Installing pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk lights
Implementing traffic calming measures, including speed bumps along Charles Lux
Drive, particularly in the direction of the school and throughout the surrounding
neighborhood
Conducting a speed and traffic safety study to support these changes
This tragedy feels unnecessary and preventable, and our community is hurting. We are asking
the City to hear our cry and help us ensure that no other family experiences this kind of loss.
Safety measures like these save lives, especially in residential areas near schools and parks.
Thank you for your time, attention, and commitment to public safety. We are eager to work
collaboratively with the City and HOA and would appreciate guidance on next steps,
timelines, or meetings needed to move this request forward.
Sincerely,
Marisa Cupa
Concerned parent of two children in the community
Las Animas Teacher