CANTON, Mich. – A Metro Detroit family has called for safety changes after their loved one was hit and killed by two cars while crossing the intersection in Canton Township.
There was an emotional feeling as Ernest Lee, Jr.’s family and friends gathered during a vigil in remembrance of him
The vigil occurred on Friday (Dec. 15), where candles were lit for the 33-year-old on Ford Road, where Lee was killed early Wednesday as he tried crossing the street on Ford Road at Haggarty Road to get some snacks around 5 a.m.
Officials say the 33-year-old was not in the crosswalk when he was hit by one car and then another.
As family and friends mourned him, they hoped they could make safety changes out there in his name.
“We lost him to a tragic accident,” said Lee’s sister, Candis Lee. “He was crossing the street; it was dark, and a car hit him. Two cars hit him.”
While at the event, Local 4 could see, hear, and feel how Ernest’s family adored him and how his friends loved him.
“We loved him as he was family-orientated, and every time he would talk to you, he would tell you before he would end the conversation, he would say, ‘I love you, sis, I love you, auntie, I love you cuz,’” Candis said. “This is his daughter. It was his only baby, and she loved him.”
Ernest’s 1-year-old baby girl is about to celebrate her first Christmas.
His family says Ford Road and the crosswalks are dark. Others who travel the intersection daily pointed to traffic volume, speed, and darkness. The family is doing the work to try to get more lighting out there, including his sister, Malesha Mapps.
“Hopefully, we can get them to get some lighting in order to save more lives, whether it’s stopping car accidents or pedestrians being saved while walking across the street,” said Mapps.
Mapps has already contacted Canton Township, where the supervisor was heartbroken by what occurred.
Officials say Ford Road is under the control of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), but they say they have plans to start a major project to turn the area into a boulevard with many safety changes due to the high number of accidents.
Canton Township is urging everyone to use the crosswalks, and the family hopes where Ernest was killed could be brighter in his name.
The Lee family has set up a GoFundMe to help with burial costs, which can be found here.
