On November 18th at 2pm – just one day after our World Day of Remembrance, on the 6th anniversary of the crash that killed Jayanna Powell – Dominique Jones was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver who attempted to flee the scene of a crash. Dominique will be the 2nd bicyclist killed in Philadelphia this year, leaving another family mourning the loss of their loved one as a result of a horrific hit-and-run crash.
Too often traffic fatalities like this one occur in majority black neighborhoods without widespread attention or response. We, at the Bicycle Coalition, are furious that information reached us two days after the crash. Dominique’s death is unacceptable, was preventable, and his life deserves attention from the news, council people, and other elected officials. It shouldn’t be possible to speed on a neighborhood street in any part of the city, whether Strawberry Mansion or Rittenhouse. Everyone, regardless of neighborhood and how they choose to travel, deserves to get to their destination safely.
Dominique Jones’ sister, Denasia Hanna, spoke with ABC 6 yesterday about her brother and the impact of his death.
“He will definitely be remembered as a good man and just a good person,” said Denasia Hanna while fighting back tears. “My heart dropped, like dropped. That was [my] brother, but that was also my best friend.”
The driver who killed Dominique was driving drunk and speeding down a neighborhood road in Strawberry Mansion, a predominantly black and brown neighborhood. The City’s Vision Zero report found that most traffic fatalities impact people of color:
All of our hearts are with Jones’ loved ones and community as we continue to call for change. We are looking to our decision makers in the city and the state to do more to prevent this type of crash and join with us in affirming that no matter who you are, where you live, or how you choose to get around, you deserve to get where you’re going safely.
Account of crash and photos from ABC 6