Father of Grady High School student asks for changes

ATLANTA - The father of Alexia Hyneman spoke to FOX 5 News on Monday night to call for change to the intersection.

"I'm sure she's glad they're coming together, and the same thing won’t happen to a poor kid on the way home," said Thomas Hyneman.

He spoke to FOX 5 after dozens of residents appeared at Atlanta's City Council to call for street improvements to the Midtown intersection.

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"It's not the way we want to make changes. It's sad it’s taking this step," Hyneman said.

He hopes his daughter's death will be a wakeup call to city leaders of the crosswalk dangers that could put plenty of students at risk. The intersection is by the Beltline, Piedmont Park, Grady High, and plenty of bars and restaurants.

Mayor Kasim Reed said $2.5 million from program Renew Atlanta are scheduled to pay for changes at the intersection.

Mayor Reed's office released the following statement:

"The safety of pedestrians and cyclists remains a priority for my Administration, with $37 million dollars in the Renew Atlanta infrastructure program committed to making sidewalks and streets safe for people of all ages and abilities whether they are walking, biking or riding. We value our partnership with the cycling and pedestrian advocacy community who have been engaged with the City to adopt policies and practices that prioritize people over cars."

Funeral services for Alexia Hyneman will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday at the West Cobb Funeral Home & Crematory located at 2480 Macland Road in Marietta.

The family has set up a GoFundMe account set up for Alexia's medical and funeral expenses. Anyone who wishes to donate can do so at gofundme.com/2u6rb7gs.

Residents rally to change busy crossing

The death of a 14-year-old Alexia Hyneman, who was riding her bike home from school, has become a rallying cry for residents who demand traffic changes at the Midtown intersection.

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Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and Bikefriendlyatl, Inc. set up a Ghost Bike for ninth-grade student Alexia Hyneman. Atlanta Police said Hyneman was riding her bike at the intersection of 10th Street and Monroe Drive after 7 p.m. Thursday when she was struck by a vehicle. Family members said the teenager had just finished a drama performance when the accident happened.

Family members said the 14-year-old girl died Friday, surrounded by family and friends.

Loved ones and classmates held a vigil for the student near the spot where the crash happened pm Friday, and created a memorial on Atlanta's Beltline.

Marla Hyneman, Alexia's mother, released the following statement:

"Alexia, my daughter, her spirit was unbreakable.  A beautiful daughter, sister, and friend.  She was talented and amazing.  She touched the lives of everyone she met. She was smart and loved to learn. She was a gift to this world and in one moment she could change yours.  I will miss her every minute of every day. We all will."

Police said there are no charges are expected in the accident. The driver told police he never saw Hyneman and police said she was wearing dark clothes at the time.

The location across from Grady High School has become even busier since the Beltline was constructed.

Pedestrians, bicyclists, runners and cars all merge at one point. Residents said the area is too tight to handle the volume.

The Ghost Bike memorial is a bike painted white with the Alexia’s name on it. It was chained to a telephone pole near the scene of her deadly accident. After the memorial was put in place, bike riders rode downtown to lobby city officials to make changes they think will make that intersection safer.