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Charlotte man pushes for safer streets years after brother struck, killed crossing road

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Crossing the street on certain Charlotte streets can be dangerous and the family of a man killed two years ago crossing the road in southeast Charlotte is pushing to change that and is demanding action.

Daniel Wheeler was killed in 2017. Police said a driver couldn't see out of his icy windshield and hit Daniel as he was cross Monroe Road.

Daniel was headed into work at McDonald's.

"Right between the two bus stops right there. In the middle," Daniel's brother Henry Wheeler said. "He was making sure his co-workers got across the road."

Saturday, his family and friends gathered to remember Daniel's life and remind others to use the crosswalk.

"But, we're out here to try to save somebody else from getting hit and killed out here," Henry said.

There have been multiple pushes for Charlotte officials to make the city a safe place for pedestrians.

Henry said he has plans of his own.

"Maybe the city bus can put a message on the bus saying 'Please use the crosswalk,'" Henry said.

While explain his vision to Channel 9's Stephanie Tinoco, he pointed out pedestrians crossing Monroe Road.

He counted four people getting off one CATS bus on Monroe Road and walking across.

"There's a prime example of what we're talking about. Somebody is crossing the road and they're not even in the crosswalk. It's definitely a concern, but how are you going to get people to change their mind? But how do you get people to use the crosswalk? It's not that far," Henry said.

Wheeler said he hopes to get the attention of city council to find solutions. In the meantime, he said his family has partnered with CMPD's Victim's Services as part of their mission.

In 2017, there were 27 pedestrian deaths in Charlotte and then in 2018, there were 28.

Monroe Road is one of the dozens of streets a part of "Vision Zero Charlotte," a citywide initiative designed to create safer streets through enforcement and road projects including new crosswalks.

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