7 months after 15-year-old Milby High School student Sergio Rodriguez was struck & killed by a train while walking to school, leaders say change is finally coming.
HOUSTON — Seven months after 15-year-old Milby High School student Sergio Rodriguez was struck and killed by a train while walking to school, city and state leaders say change is finally coming to the neighborhood where he died.
Rodriguez’s death in December sparked outrage and renewed calls for safer rail crossings in the area.
“The tragedy of Sergio Rodriguez last year was a tragedy that could have been avoided,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire at a recent public meeting.
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The location where Rodriguez was killed, near Highway 3 and Broadway, has long been a concern for residents. Trains frequently block crossings for extended periods, creating dangerous situations for pedestrians and frustrating delays for emergency responders.
In the wake of Rodriguez’s death, momentum has grown to address the issue.
State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) helped secure a $10 million allocation in the state budget to construct a pedestrian overpass at the site. The bridge would be named after Sergio Rodriguez.
“We were able to pass a line item in the budget to build a pedestrian crosswalk near Highway 3 and Broadway,” Alvarado said.
During a meeting with the East End Management to discuss train issues, State Senator Alvarado added that the state has now earmarked an additional $250 million to improve rail crossings across Texas.
“My hope is that Houston and Harris County will apply for that money,” she said.
Mayor Whitmire echoed the urgency, pointing out that the issue goes beyond student safety.
“Our first responders can’t make calls when rail crossings are blocked,” he said. “They have to take a longer path to get to emergencies.”
Rodriguez’s family told KHOU 11 they’ve been in regular contact with local and state leaders and are grateful that steps are being taken to honor Sergio’s memory and protect others.