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City leaders making more changes to Bayshore Blvd. after crash kills mother, toddler

24-year-old Jessica Raubenolt died last week
Posted at 10:48 PM, May 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-31 12:41:49-04

TAMPA, Fla. — Neighbors on Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa continue to push for change after a mother dies while pushing a toddler in a stroller.

Tampa Police said 24-year-old Jessica Raubenolt and her daughter, 2-year-old Lillia, died last week after a driver in a Mustang struck and killed them.

Tricia Van Der Vaart walks along Bayshore with her baby girl. She said it's difficult to cross the busy street.

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"She's always in my front of mind making sure that it's safe for us to cross anywhere," said Van Der Vaart.

Tampa city leaders said Bayshore Boulevard is a key collector roadway that carries anywhere from 26,000 to 43,000 vehicles per day.

On Wednesday night, a group of neighbors got together to discuss safety improvements to Bayshore.

"Crosswalks are good, again, it comes down to enforcement. You can have a plan, but if you don't execute the plan, what good is it?" said Kirk Kumagai who lives near Bayshore Boulevard.

City leaders said they'll be adding more speed limit signs and they will be larger. They'll add the additional signs in the next few days. They're also accelerating a plan to add four more crosswalks.

Tampa Police said they continue to enforce the 35 mph speed limit. They've written more citations and given more warnings in the past week compared to the same time last year.

From May 24 to May 29, 2018, officers have issued 23 citations and given 281 warnings for speeding on Bayshore Blvd.

Neighbors said they will continue to fight to make the street safer.

"Jessica and Lillia weren't from Tampa, but they are now part of the community," said Mike Nicholson, neighbor.