CHARLOTTE — Earlier this summer, 34-year-old Keith Blanks was killed while crossing a north Charlotte intersection.
The victim’s mother, Okima Blanks, said the stretch of Statesville Road where her son died is dangerous.
She plans to bring her case to city hall and fight for change.
Okima comes past that intersection every day, and she’s reminded every day of the pain she will never get over.
“It has been treacherous for me. My son lived with me and so daily, it’s a struggle,” she said.
On July 2, Keith was crossing Statesville Road near Lake Road when he was hit and killed by a car.
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“My son was crossing the road trying to make it home and he didn’t,” Okima said. “I don’t want my son’s life to end and no one knows that this is the intersection that needs some attention.”
She thinks that a crosswalk might have made a life-saving difference in her son’s case.
“There is no crosswalk as you can see. It’s just an area that you cross at your own risk, and it’s just unfair because all it takes is one person to not be paying attention to end the life of someone.”
Keith worked for Fed Ex and Okima said his coworkers gave her a lot of support following this tragedy.
“I’m 100% determined to do this,” she said. “I will go above and beyond to make sure we get a safe intersection here in the name of my son.”
Channel 9 reached out to police to see where the investigation stands. It’s still active and so far, no charges have been filed.