Howard University improves road safety after fatal accident

In April, a freshman student at Howard University died when he was hit by a car on campus. Now city officials are calling for improved security at the university.

On April 11, Mohamed Samura was crossing a street on the Howard University campus when he was struck by a speeding faculty member and was hospitalized, where he later died.

After his death, students and community members called for more to be done at the intersection of Fairmont Street and 6th Street, which was a problem area.

On Wednesday evening, County Commissioner Josh Jacobson said the district’s Department of Transportation has been listening and is preparing to make some safety improvements.

In a letter of intent to the Neighborhood Commission, the Washington Department of Transportation states that in response to Samura’s death, it will make the following changes to this section of 6th Street immediately at Georgia Avenue to prevent another traffic fatality.

• Add speed bumps
• Raise the zebra crossing
• Extend curbs
• Add ADA ramps
• Some parking spaces at Howard Place will be removed to improve visibility for motorists

Jacobson just wishes these changes had been made sooner, before a life was lost.

RELATED: Howard University faculty member involved in fatal accident outside dorm

“I’m frustrated that another person has died. This was an intersection that DDOT knew was a problem and they had it on their list and it wasn’t until someone died that they finally took care of it,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson says these changes are good for the Howard campus, but adds that more needs to be done on Georgia Avenue and throughout the city to make the streets safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

“Ward 1 is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods. In this area, about 45 percent of people do not use a car on a daily basis,” Jacobson said. “Bus routes 70 and 79 are the most well-known in DC and are used by many commuters. I want to make the city safer for people who are traveling around the city and not have to worry about their loved ones being killed by a reckless driver.”

Jacobson says work should begin soon and be completed in two months.

FOX 5 has reached out to DDOT to get a more accurate timeline and to find out when the work is expected to be completed.

A spokesman for the agency commented on Thursday, saying:

“Every traffic fatality is a tragedy. As part of the District’s many traffic safety initiatives, DDOT seeks to make as much positive impact as possible, as quickly as possible, focusing on locations where the data shows the highest risk. Each year, DDOT addresses over 900 dangerous locations, including 24 locations in District 1 since 2021, as part of the High Priority Annual Safety Program. Data from this intersection showed a lower risk than many other intersections, leading to the prioritization of other critical safety projects. Despite this, safety improvements were accelerated at this intersection and accelerated again following this tragic accident. DDOT remains committed to implementing safety measures across the District and the goal of Vision Zero.”