St. Louis raises the bar for pedestrian safety after a teen was killed on Chippewa Street

street. Louis – Nearly a year ago, 17-year-old Matthew Nicolay was struck and killed by a car near Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Chippewea Street.

Now, with the help of several districts, the city is funding new traffic calming measures across the region.

On Friday, Ted Drewes was packed with people, waiting in line, and walking around. For Matthew, the place was in the same area when he crossed the street last July and was hit by a car.

“A tragedy like this, such a great child, can never be replaced.” said St. Louis Alderman Joe Vollmer.

Vollmer, who is a friend of Nikolai’s family, says this tragedy deeply affected the family. Disappointing for family and friends is the fact that all it took was a walk across the street and a car crossing to claim his life.

“Unfortunately, it’s a little too late for Nikolai’s family,” Vollmer said.

To avoid another instance of losing a life too soon, he tells us, is why so many regions have made such efforts to calm traffic.

The hit-and-run occurred live by Ted Drewes, on the 6700 block of Chippewa Street.

“You’re talking about a very popular place that’s on a very busy street,” Vollmer said.

It’s a situation many people face on a daily basis. Several locals who came by the ice cream shop told FOX 2 that they had seen and experienced situations that could have ended in loss of life due to unsafe driving and careless walking.

“I almost saw someone about to get shot here,” said Taylor Johnson, a lifelong St. Louis resident. On Friday, she brings her kids to the popular spot to enjoy the weather and enjoy a treat, which can be difficult because she feels their safety is a concern.

“Even as an adult, I get scared crossing the street sometimes,” Johnson said.

For others, it’s a slightly different situation. FOX 2 watched the moment several residents crossed a busy part of Chippewa near Prather Ave, with almost no regard for oncoming traffic.

“Theoretically, all over St. Louis right now, traffic safety is a big issue. Because of the lack of police and staff, people think they can get away with it,” Follmer said. He went on to say, “It’s not about tougher policies, it’s It’s about enforcing the policies that we have.”

It’s also about investing in public safety, says Alderman-Volmer.

“Along with the crosswalk, I think the solar-powered yield signs they put on the crosswalk signs,” Follmer said of the changes. It’s only the beginning, he says, in promoting safety.

“Mostly everything along Kingshighway, Grand, and Hampton right now is very dangerous,” Vollmer said. “One of the most dangerous areas right now is Hampton and Wilson.”

It’s the very early loss of life that Follmer states

“If his legacy is that he made sure no one else suffered through this, then his legacy is a great one.”

City officials tell us we could see these traffic changes as calming efforts wind down in the late spring, early summer of 2024.