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It’s been just over 9 months since a Plant High School Cheerleader was struck by a hit and run driver as she visited her brother at Florida State University. 18 year old Jackie Faircloth is still in rehab, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, Tallahassee traffic planners are taking steps to make the roadway where she was hit safer.

The 20 year old driver accused of hitting Jackie Faircloth and leaving is set to be in court October 6th. Prosecutors have been monitoring Jackie’s progress before proceeding in the case.

18 Year old Jackie Faircloth was struck by a hit and run driver last November 29th. She was crossing this road a block from the FSU Campus. She remains in an Atlanta rehab hospital. A recent Facebook post by her mom says she is getting better.

At the intersection where she was hurt, which is a gateway to the FSU campus, new, Pedestrian activated warning lights were installed, just in time for the new school year. There was no shortage of students using the lights or crosswalk. It was here we met Emily Wilbanks, an FSU Sophomore from Tampa.

“I wanted to ask you if those lights make you feel safer?”

“yeah, they do. I’m really glad those lights are there because cars actually stop” says Emily.

Kennedy Granger, an FSU Sophomore from Jacksonville was living across from the accident when it happened.  “We were living here when the accident happened. It’s very tragic.”

“Do you think the lights make is safer?”

“I believe so. I believe it was a really good call for them to put them in” sa

We reached out to the Faircloth Family. Father John told us he had to speak to his lawyer before talking substance with us.

The city’s Public Works Director, Gabe Menendez, says the bright flashing lights have been proven to work.

“They have shown that this does raise the awareness of drivers, especially the drivers to the presence of pedestrians in the area” says Menendez.

In the short time we’ve been here, we’ve seen most cars slow down, but not all.

The intersection is in the middle of a long sloping. block. The City says it is considering speed bumps here as well…but must first change it’s policy on the class of roadway where speed bumps are allowed.