Pedestrian safety spotlighted after Holliston woman killed

HOLLISTON, Mass. — There are calls for increased pedestrian safety after a Holliston woman was killed crossing a busy street in a crosswalk.

Family members say 57-year-old Karen Evers was a devoted mother of two.

This isn’t the first time this crosswalk has been flagged as a safety concern.

“I want people to know how caring she was, how big her heart was, how she loved life. She was a loyal friend, she was a great mom. Everything centered around her two kids Grace and Nick,” Karen’s brother Michael said.

"Once you met her, you were a friend for life."

The dear friend, sister and mom died Christmas Eve, 24 hours after a she was hit by a car crossing Washington Street in Holliston.

Karen, a social worker who loved to read, was leaving the Holliston library Wednesday night when she was hit.

"When I realized how close the library was to the crosswalk, it was kind of shocking,” Michael said.

He says Karen was in the crosswalk when an out of state driver struck and killed her. State police say they are still investigating whether she was in or near it.

"My sister was a thoughtful, patient person, knowing she had kids she wouldn't take that kind of risk so I assume when she entered the crosswalk, she assumed she was safe,” Michael said.

A memorial marks the entrance to the crosswalk where Karen was killed. Now many are calling for the town to make changes to improve pedestrian safety.

FOX25 has learned the issue of crosswalk safety has been on the radar in Holliston for some time.

A 2014 parking study flagged pedestrian safety, saying few vehicles stopped or slowed for pedestrians at crosswalks.

Another 2014 study looking to improve the Washington Street corridor pointed out the warning beacons aren't visible to pedestrians and that the crosswalks were at uncontrolled locations or locations without a traffic light.

"They really need to make definite changes before somebody else gets killed. It could be kid it could be another mother,” Michael said.

A member of the Holliston Board of Selectman told FOX25 they will discuss the safety concerns at their next meeting in early January.

Cox Media Group