Plaza to be built in memory of boy killed crossing road
EUGENE, Ore. - Nearly three years after the traffic death of a Eugene boy, his mother's dream of a safey plaza is about to become a reality.
The roadside memorial still stands. A candle still burns, and with it memories for Marina Hajek.
She wants to share those memories with others - and prevent future tragedies.
Three years ago, her 10-year-old son Vaclav was run over and killed as he tried to cross Bailey Hill Road.
The road has been improved, and a new crossing is in place. What's left to be done is a safety plaza.
"This is going to be a semi-circle," Hajek said in an area just south of the Churchill High School softball field.
Hajek points east toward the road and says, "We are going to have a sign, over there, an educational sign."
With the help of a city neighborhood matching grant, her dream is about to become reality.
"I cannot do anything for my son anymore; we cannot do anything for him, but we can do something for other children," she said.
The plaza will feature two memorial benches and signs with special safety messages, all designed to bring some closure.
"At the same time, though, create an educational plaza that will continue on educating about safety and about the issues that we've had to deal with here," said Thomas Price of the Churchill Area Neighbors group, and a project supporter.
Groundbreaking is set for this Saturday for the plaza. A $4,000 Eugene neighborhood grant is paying for the project.
