ROY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A local man is being charged in connection with a fatal pedestrian accident on April 16th.
Russell Vaun Jones, 41, died while crossing the street in Roy. His family says he was just a few feet from the sidewalk when he was hit by an 18-year old driver making a left from 6000 South onto 1900 West.
Marco Martinez is now being charged with driving without insurance and failure to yield. Prosecutors say they're both misdemeanors, but ABC 4 has also learned Martinez was cited before with driving without proof of insurance in 2007.
Elsena Jones misses her son and says the charges aren't serious enough. "I've always wanted to put my arms around him because I know what he must feel like, but I still don't know why they haven't charged him for more."
"I don't think it was really on purpose, but I do believe he was probably stepping on it a little bit to get through the light before it turned red," says Thomas Jones, the victim's father. Mr. Jones also says the crosswalk played a role in his son's death.
ABC 4 timed the light and discovered it flashes red within a just few seconds, but we also found that cars making a left turn are given a green arrow at the same time walkers are told to cross. It's a deadly combination says the victim's sister, Sharla Weaver. "They just don't give 'em enough time to get across the intersection. You'll have drivers that come and honk, they swear at 'em, they flip 'em off, tell 'em to get out of the way and they're the ones who are supposed to yield for the pedestrian!"
A UDOT spokesman says the intersection is configured according to regulations, but they are making changes. The green arrow is coming down and they're changing the signage for both drivers and walkers.
The Jones family says the changes are good for the community, but it's too little, too late says Ladena Sellers. "You can't bring him back, if we could go back to that day, I'd rather have my brother than this right now. I mean, what was the kid thinking? Where was he going?"
Marco Martinez will be arraigned in Roy City Court on July 9th. He's facing fines and up to six months in jail but prosecutors say additional charges could still be filed.
