Temecula's 'Missing Sidewalks' Being Inventoried

Following public outcry for more sidewalks in Temecula, the city's Public Works Department is wrapping up an inventory of sidewalk gaps throughout the city -- a list that will be used to decide which areas need the most attention and when, The Press-Enterprise is reporting. 

Priority will be given to areas around schools, parks and heavy pedestrian use, according to the report.

On March 11, two female pedestrians were struck by a car in their neighborhood along Pauba Road after a trip to the Temecula Public Library. 

That incident ignited some criticism of the city's "missing sidewalks."

“We want the city to call us and tell us where the missing sidewalk is,” Mike Baxter told Patch shortly after the March incident.

Baxter is the father of the 19-year-old woman who was struck. She sustained serious injuries from the incident, including broken bones and a concussion, he said.

Baxter’s daughter and her 22-year-old friend were walking westbound in the bicycle lane of the westbound side of the road when they were hit by a Toyota Matrix piloted by a female driver with two young children in the car.

According to police, the glaring sun temporarily affected the driver’s visibility; the two women were struck shortly after 5:30 p.m.

Despite the area's proximity to the library and schools, there is no sidewalk where the women were hit. Click here for the full story on the March 11 incident.

Click here to read the full report from The Press-Enterprise.