ST. LOUIS — A deadly hit-and-run crash in Soulard Sunday morning is bringing to light the importance of pedestrian safety.
Police are still looking for the driver in the crash that happened just blocks away from popular bars in Soulard right after closing time.
Around 1:37 a.m. on March 17, 43-year-old Cynthia Curtis of St. Louis was hit at the intersection of Gravois Avenue and Russell Boulevard. A horrible tragedy especially on St. Patrick's Day as people travel between bars and apartments in the neighborhood.
Jerry Easter has been a server at Tucker's Place on South 12th Street, just off Russell, since 1997.
After 17 years, he's still frustrated by the number of speeding drivers.
"I don't know why but stop signs and stop lights are just ignored and people get hurt," Easter said.
Police are working to learn more about this hit and run in Soulard as the driver hit the woman in the road and then took off. She died at a nearby hospital.
After hearing the news, people visiting the bars on St. Patrick's Day near that intersection now taking extra caution.
"Be aware of your surroundings," Jacquese Polk, a bar customer in Soulard, said. "Have fun but also be alert. Have a good time but keep your head on a swivel."
"There are people that care about you and there are people that matter," Autumn Krisko walking along Russell Blvd told 5 On Your Side. "You don't want to take the risk. So just be safe, be smart. Really pay attention to your surroundings. You can have fun while being safe at the same time."
This is the latest in a series of recent pedestrian crash deaths in St. Louis.
Trailnet is a non-profit pushing for legislation and strategies to protect people walking and biking around St. Louis.
"We have to find a way as a city to fix intersections for pedestrians," Charles Bryson, policy catalyst at Trailnet, said. "We sort of refuse to do that."
An accident reconstruction team is still investigating this deadly St. Patrick's Day hit-and-run crash.
Police have not released the identities of the woman killed or the driver.
If you know anything about the crash, you are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.